Sometimes, an album comes along that just *clicks*—that magical, intangible force that instantly grabs you and refuses to let go. This is exactly what Warlung from Texas have accomplished with *The Poison Touch*. And if you’ve heard their previous work, you know that’s saying something. The band has come a long way since their formation in 2016, with four albums, extensive tours across the U.S. and Europe, and gigs with heavyweights like High On Fire, Truckfighters, and Brant Bjork. Now, they’ve crafted their finest effort yet.
This Album is a feverish journey through a swampy blend of melodic doom, vast stoner rock expanses, and the unpredictable curves of psychedelic blues. It’s a record that’s both solid and hazy—crystal-clear at times, trippy and dreamlike at others. And those riffs! They burrow deep, scratching at your skull, while the hooks propel you across the fabric of space and time.
Warlung has that rare ability to sound like they've always been here, yet they’re undeniably of the present. Earthy yet soaring, heavy but never dull—*The Poison Touch* is a masterclass in blending the retro with the timeless, the massive with the playful. It’s the sound of a band that’s found their voice, and it’s unlike anything else around.
The album kicks off with "Digital Smoke," a wild ride through the electrifying magic of stoner rock. From the very first note, you're swept away on a psychedelic trip that builds into a wave of thunderous guitars and powerful vocals. The groove of classic psych-rock and metal comes through in full force, but with a touch of blues that keeps things grounded. Despite the dense sound, the track remains light, engaging, and never overwhelming—always pressing forward like an unstoppable force.
But it’s "Spell Speaker" that steals the show. At nearly nine minutes, this is the monster track of the album, unfolding like the slow, majestic rise of the sun. Warlung allows the song to breathe, grow, and swell into a massive wall of sound. At times dark and heavy, at others soaring with delicate solos that float above the chaos, the track moves through phases of hypnotic psychedelia before reaching its climactic finale—a thrilling, emotional eruption. It’s a true masterpiece, one that lingers in your mind long after it fades away.
On the flip side, "29th Scroll, 6th Verse" shifts the mood to a different frequency. Heavy, almost droning riffs roll in like storm clouds, and the vocals weave effortlessly through the monumental soundscape. It’s as if hard rock and doom have united for an epic jam session—catchy, yet weighty, never sacrificing soul for power.
In conclusion: If you’re after stoner doom with depth, this album is a must-listen. Warlung have not only perfected their craft—they’ve created something that feels both timeless and fresh. And we’re all lucky enough to witness it.
-Helge Neumann
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