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audiObelisk: Moon Coven Stream “East” from Transubstans Debut, Amanita Kingdom

There’s an unassuming vibe that runs throughout Swedish heavy rockers Moon Coven‘s forthcoming Transubstans Records debut, Amanita Kingdom, and where for some acts that might come off as a lack of confidence, for the five-piece based in Malmö and Jönköping, it winds up among their greatest assets. Such is the laid back, warm nature of their grooving across Amanita Kingdom‘s five cuts. It makes for an easy album to get lost in, and at just 34 minutes, Moon Coven‘s material feels lean and efficient despite being in no rush either stylistically or in terms of tempo. With its two-part title-track, deep echoing melodic vocals, forward low end and steady nod, it’s an engaging, satisfying listen.

Perhaps as much for what it isn’t as what it is. Sweden has seen no shortage these last couple years of bands who’ve adopted the ’70s loyal ethic in the wake of bands like Graveyard and Witchcraft, and while Moon Coven share a natural feel in common with those acts, and maybe the slightest touch of the riffing style and that’s about where the similarities end. As organic as Amanita Kingdom is, there’s nothing about it you’d call retro. With three contributing guitarists in David Leban (also vocals), Axel Ganhammar and Justin Boyesen, there’s still plenty of room in the mix for Oscar Johansson‘s bass to run alongside and around the steady swing of Fredrik Dahlquist‘s creative but not showy drumming.

Touches of psychedelic folk show up in the closing “We Were Conquerors,” but the crux of Amanita Kingdom resides in Moon Coven‘s propensity to ride out righteous stonerly grooves. You may note some of Mars Red Sky‘s wah fuzz showing up early in the bass for “East,” but Moon Coven do well to make both the song — which is fourth of the five — and the album as a whole their own. “East” boasts rich tones and a steady march that’s deceptively catchy, Leban‘s voice coming through a jammed-out sensibility to further the human element of the proceedings, which shift at about the halfway point into a guitar-led instrumental push with no shortage of soloing over top.

However far out Moon Coven go, there’s never a point where they get lost in self-indulgence, and particularly because of that, I’m thrilled to be able to host the premiere of “East.” Please find it on the player below and enjoy:

Moon Coven, “East” from Amanita Kingdom

Transubstans will issue Moon Coven‘s Amanita Kingdom in January 2014. More info and updates at the links.

Moon Coven on Thee Facebooks

Transubstans Records

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