Vol. #91: Sun Dweller – “High Ride”
Rustbelt Rock Review
By: Z.M. Delgado
Rustbeltrockreview.com
Volume #91: Sun Dweller – “High Ride”
August 28th, 2023
Good morning Rustbelt, and welcome back to my Heavy Metal endeavor otherwise known as the Rustbelt Rock Review. Today’s edition will be an examination an album I recently received from Ohio Rockers Sun Dweller. They describe themselves as a “Heavy Fuzz Rock Band” which is accurate, but I would put them somewhere within the arena of Stoner Metal. They are a three piece outfit made up of Seth (Guitar/Vocals), John (Bass) and Ron (Drums). The band recently sought me out and asked that I give my opinion on their new record: “High Ride.” So without further delay, let’s take a look at this bad boy and see what makes him tick.
The album opens with a spacey little number entitled “Self Medicate.” Vocals, under heavy reverb, echo over soft mellow guitars. It is a very nice introduction to the album and my only complaint is that it’s so short. It’s a great piece of music and I would have liked to see it developed into a full composition. Up next hits the title track from the record, “High Ride.” Opening with a chugging riff it plugs along steadily. When the vocals first dropped in is when I realized I wasn’t dealing with an average band. I don’t know how else to put this other than: I think the vocalist has a really cool voice. Like a hybrid of Peter Steel, Glenn Danzig and Troy Sanders, Seth’s vocals soar on this track and throughout the record. In addition to the big vox, “High Ride” has an excellent groove. It rocks but is subtly droning, lulling the listener into a hypnotic sway. “A New Peak” has a much more Rockin’ rhythm. Upbeat and driving this song demands headbanging. Up next is my favorite cut from the album, “Philophobic.” This song is nothing short of pounding. The riff is fast and heavy; the Bass rumbling and the rhythm has an undeniable energy. It is the sort of song that makes me want to drive at reckless speeds, bang my head, scream or mosh with reckless abandon. “Again” slows things down once more, with a grooving Bass line, crooning vocals and a nasty little guitar solo tucked in there. Next we get a phenomenal cover of Pink Floyd’s “Eclipse.” Hearing Floyd’s music translated into Metal is very cool and Sun Dweller’s attempt is one of the best I’ve ever heard. “No One Here” picks up the tempo again, firing on all cylinders from the first note. This is another one that gives me the urge to get up and move. After it rips along for a few, it drops into a slower bridge before jumping back to top velocity. This song bangs, plain and simple. Closing out the album is “Cincinnati Weed Wagon,” which has an earth shaking Bass line. It is definitely on the Sludgy side of Stoner Metal. I love the slow, bluesy guitar solo on this one, as well as the variations on the Bass that are happening beneath it. The Bass driven “Cincinnati Weed Wagon” finishes the album on a very Stoner note. With a pulsing Bass line and more of those fantastic vocals, it ends the collection quite nicely.
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So we come down to it. How did I ultimately enjoy, Sun Dweller’s “High Ride?” Well to be perfectly honest, I’ve been listening to it quite a lot. Throughout my daily activities I’ve been rocking Sun Dweller on a near constant loop. I find myself seeking out opportunities to throw it on again. Whether it is a ride in the car, a bout of house work or a day on the job, Sun Dweller has been my most recent soundtrack. The album is chill in its overall vibe, but like I said there are portions that are truly Rockin’. Songs like “Philophobic” and “No One Here” will have you banging your head, while “Cincinnati Weed Wagon,” “Self Medicate” and “Eclipse” will make you want to hunker down and burn a doobie. It has everything I look for in a Stoner Metal band: Grooving Bass, fuzzy chords, and tempo changes that keep the songs very interesting. And if I haven’t beat you over the head with this notion too much now, I’ll tell you again, I love the vocals. Seth has a distinct and powerful voice that really put the band over the top in my book. I would say if you are a fan of Black Sabbath, Mastodon, Khemmis, Mountain Witch or Electric Wizard I would highly recommend Sun Dweller today. “High Ride” officially drops August 28th. I suggest you pre save it right away. It is well worth a listen. Thanks for reading.
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt!
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Rustbeltrockreview.com
(Sun Dweller – “High Ride”: An outstanding collection of Stoner Metal. Fuzzy sounds and hypnotic groove permeate the recording. With excellent song writing and top notch vocal presence it is an album that impresses from front to back. Highly recommend.)
8/14/2023
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