### Hull: Sole lord

#### 08/06/10 || Wooderson

Let me start off by saying that I dig Neurosis… a lot. Ya know that whole doomy, apocalyptic vibe they project on each release? You do? Well, that’s fucking great because I wasn’t about to explain it. Anyways, Neurosis pulls off that vibe better than anyone (yes, even Isis) which leaves bands like Hull always sounding a little under par. Now, don’t get me wrong, this Brooklyn-based band is not a Neurosis clone by any stretch of the imagination and while there are similarities between both bands, the big difference is that Hull comes fully loaded with psychedelic influences, where as Neurosis doesn’t.

The whole psychedelic influence and almost 60’s vibe here is not my thing at all and the weakest link for Hull has to be their vocals. On occasion, the vocals sound like they’ve been influenced by the Gregorian Chant dudes. IT’S COMPLETELY FUCKING ANNOYING. They are similar to what Baroness does on the “Blue Record” except no where near as effective or as cool. When the guttural vocals do make an appearance, they are fairly decent so I guess that’s a plus.

Riffs on “Sole Lord” range anywhere from quiet acoustic passages to proggy blues licks and full on pummeling supplied by their 3 guitar attack. It’s just unfortunate though a lot of the cool riffs here come away tainted when they add vocals over top (see paragraph 2, fucker). Regardless if the riffs are heavy or soft, they all have this drug induced aura about them which kinda feels like you should be sitting in a meadow and just fucking wasted.

Not all things are bad though. Even though “Sole Lord” comes off sounding like a soundtrack to an LSD trip with a stop over in the capital city of Mary Jane, there are some decent songs. “Deliverance” and “Architect” are two of the best here and this is saying quite a bit as I’m really not into this album at all. I haven’t heard their previous release, “Viking Funeral” but from what I’ve read, it sounds like something that I might have an easier time enjoying. What it comes down to is if you wish Neurosis and Isis had more of a hippy influence to them, I would recommend checking this out, otherwise, go listen to “Times Of Grace”.

- Information
- Released: 2009
- Label: The End
- Website: www.hullandhighwater.com
- Band
- Rev. A. Mack: guitar, vocals
- Rev. C. Laietta V: guitar
- Rev. N. Palmirotto: guitar
- Rev. S. B. Dunn: bass
- Rev. J. Stieber: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Innocence
- 02. Transition
- 03. Immortal
- 04. Deliverance
- 05. Wrath Of The Sands
- 06. Wanderer
- 07. Healer
- 08. Aesthetic
- 09. Architect
- 10. Vessel