Kadabra to Release Umbra Oct. 6; “The Devil” Video Posted
I was hoping we’d get a Kadabra record this year after seeing the Washington-based trio were announced as support for the upcoming West Coast tour of their Heavy Psych Sounds labelmates Bongzilla. The new album is called Umbra — following on from their debut, 2021’s deserved-more-hype-than-it-got Ultra (review here) — and will see release once again via Heavy Psych Sounds on Oct. 6. Preorders are up at the link below, if you’re the type to handle these things early.
A first single called “The Devil” arrives with a video accompanying, and it just straight up rules. I’m not sure any more complex analysis than that is needed. Like the first record, it sees the band cherry-picking aspects of modern heavy to suit the needs of their songwriting. I’d have to check to be certain, but I’m fairly sure this isn’t the first rock song ever written about the devil, even as a metaphor, but Kadabra aren’t trying to tell you otherwise. They revel in the bleak vibe as much as the central riff of the song — and you know there’s some reveling going on there — and a seeming uptick in production clarity and the separation of the instruments seems to be a factor as well, though I’m saying that as I’ve seen the video once and I’m standing on the line for a kiddie rollercoaster at Six Flags on a Wednesday afternoon, so maybe not the best place to really dig in. I guess what I’m saying is if that’s wrong, don’t hold it against me, because I might be talking out of my ass. Which should be a disclaimer for this entire site, come to think of it.
Either way, I’m stoked. Also note that two of the names of songs here, “Mountain Tamer” and “High Priestess,” are also West Coast band names. Put all three acts on a bill and it’d be a fucking killer show. From the PR wire:
KADABRA to release new album “Umbra” on Heavy Psych Sounds this fall; preorder and “The Devil” video available!
Spokane, Washington heavy psychedelic rockers KADABRA announce the release of their new album “Umbra” this October 6th on Heavy Psych Sounds, and unleash their badass new video for “The Devil” right now!
KADABRA formed during the dark days of 2020 and were quickly signed by Heavy Psych Sounds, who released Ultra in the fall of 2021 and established the band’s penchant for delivering crushing doom riffs and haunting vocals accentuated by bursts of psychedelic flair and swampy Americana swagger. And while the chemistry of long-time friends Garrett Zanol (guitar/vocals), Ian Nelson (bass) and Chase Howard (drums) was apparent upon listening to their debut, their bond was further strengthened by relentlessly touring the western United States and completing a month-long tour of Europe.
The trio almost immediately began looking forward, road-testing and crystalizing the songs that would comprise their follow-up, which found the band reuniting with “Ultra” producer Dawson Scholz. The result is “Umbra”: a singular statement that is more focused and cohesive than its predecessor while managing to capture the immersive, free-flowing experience of their live show. For fans of Dead Meadow, The Black Angels, All Them Witches.
New album “Umbra”
Out October 6th on Heavy Psych Sounds – PREORDER: https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop.htm#HPS275
TRACKLIST:
1. White Willows
2. High Priestess
3. Midnight Hour
4. The Serpent
5. The Devil
6. Battle of Avalon
7. Mountain Tamer
8. The Serpent II
KADABRA is:
Garrett Zanol (Vocals/Guitar)
Ian Nelson (Bass)
Chase Howard (Drums)
https://www.instagram.com/kadabra_band/
https://kadabraband.bandcamp.com/
