Labels: Svart
Review by: Alex Deller
This is the third full-length from Garden Of Worm, but the first I’ve heard. It’s pretty special stuff, but kinda hard to describe. While its roots are buried in the lightly-fuzzed, blues-infused rock of bands like Free, Cream and The Groundhogs, things don’t stop there. These influences are wedded to the mantric vibes, shambling repetition and springy, rangy guitar sounds of bands like Can and Amon Düül II, and while things could easily tumble off into a variety of directions (more wigged-out and they might be a slightly stock psych act; less sprawling and a simple stoner band; heavier and a good fit with the likes of Minsk or USNEA…) there’s something else about it that assures they occupy their own odd little niche. The most common comparison that comes to mind is Arbouretum, and while GOW don’t possess Dave Heumann’s booming soulfulness there are certainly similar elements at play. As I said, it’s pretty special stuff – a bubbling, eddying experience that appears relatively tranquil on the surface but frequently surprises with its crosscurrents and strange, majestic depths.