There is one universal truth: When it comes to doom you can’t go wrong with a Swedish band. People at Orchestrated Misery Records know that for sure! Catapult the Smoke seems to follow the family tradition as their debut “Unearthed” was a napalm bomb…and like with many doom gems…it went totally unnoticed. As far as I know it took these guys forever to publish their first one and with “Born in Fire”, they didn’t rush at all! Good things need time? Obviously!
So “Born in Fire” arrives but doesn’t have the advantage of surprise. Bullshit! It is obvious these guys know how to write music. Catchy stuff! Forget all about romantic keyboard sessions, atmospheric parts etc. This album is all about riffs. Nothing you haven’t heard before! Nothing is done in a different way! But everything is done so nicely you won’t give a damn!
Compared to their debut (I insist on their debut as I think this is a record you HAVE to listen) I would say that the Kyuss and Fu Manchu influences are pushed back although they are never buried. The speeds are generally a little higher and but the bass sounds weaker. The vocals are angrier and now the style resembles that of Spike(Band of Spice, ex Spiritual Beggars). The band gives the impression that they had more fun recording this one. Here, there are some definite highlights like “Follow the Path of the Warrior” or “War Bring Enemies” for example! Some of the best tunes I’ve heard all year long! The order of the tracks could have been better as I felt somewhere in the middle, the album lost some steam or started sounding repetitive. Still, if you attempt to listen at any given track isolated it’s great.
With fire comes smoke and “Born in Fire” packs lethal doses of smoke. Classic stoner. The highly addictive kind… (www.doommantia.com)
The Swedes have done it again,this time its a band called "Catapult The Smoke" and you feel like smoking some good shit when you hear this band.Released on Orchestrated Misery Recordings this is one heavy ass CD.The album kicks off with a track called "Travel Thru A Clouded Mind" and from a outset this proves this band has some serious grooves.At first they kind of sound like a cross between "Fu Manchu" and "The Awesome Machine".Fuzz out to the max the band have got the riffs to make even the most dedicated Stoner Rocker stand up and take notice.Picking favorites on this a real hard task because there is no filler at all.Every track rocks in a way that leaves you hooked.While the band has the typical Swedish Stoner groove,they mixed it up quite a lot.Influences range from classic 70's Hard Rock to Sludge to Doom and its all done with sheer class.Strange thing for me is this was recorded back in 2004 so why its taken this long for this band to come to my attention is a pity.The production on this release is excellent and the playing is top notch,vocals suit the music perfectly and it is obvious from listening to this that the band really enjoys what they are doing.The CD comes with 4 bonus tracks recorded 3 years before and they are good but they show how much the band has progressed.A couple of interesting points are the band was formed by Tobias Larsson from "Ocean Chief" who most Stoner/Doom fans out there will already know.This official release is well overdue but the wait has been worth it.This is essential for all lovers of Sludge,Stoner,Doom and for fans who crave 70's Hard Rock grooves.9/10 (www.doommantia.com)
