England’s ERRONAUT Stuns with Hefty Stoner Metal Debut ‘The Space Inbetween’
~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~
By Billy Goate
We're going for cosmic with the new record by Hertfordshire, England stoner metal four-piece ERRONAUT, with roots in the Bedfordshire band Black Atlas (they had a 2016 EP and an LP in 2018 that caught the many of our attention). Before us it the outfit's much anticipated first LP, 'The Space Inbetween' (2024).
"Way Down Below" comes charging out with big bellowing drums from Sam Gates, followed by a swaggering stoner metal riff with tons of reverberating fuzz from the guitars. Mikey Ward's singing has a modern metal sheen as he croons:
I dream of a perfect day I’m alone and so far from view The sea breeze it carries me Miles and miles away from you
Bassist Simon Wilson grabs the bounce at 2:35, then a sassy metallic solo from guitarist Peter Hunt with hints of blues, Mikey Ward joining the rhythm on second guitar. The pace slows down to a dirge as the song ends and it's a very satisfying slow headbanging moment, an instrumental contemplation of last words spoken: "You make this a perfect hell, I need to go back to the start."
"Lost Cause" is a clear standout of the album, as the band's first single it has classic radio appeal (though much longer at 7 minutes in length). Again the band aims for long, sweeping riffs with bossy drumming that's anything but boring tap-tap-tap joined by beefy bass sound. The singing is strong and melodic, with a powerful, soaring chorus.
The intro to "Per Contra" really got my attention, I really like the contrasting choices between strummed and crunchy electric moments on the guitars. The verve of this one is undeniable, it's a badass riff for damned sure. One of my favorites, especially for the trippy distorted slow psychedelic direction it goes in mid-section. The bass provides a deep resonating heartbeat for the journey. I like the band's use of noise, too, as the track comes to a head.
"1202" was the album's single. The chorus on this is effectively orchestrated and will be welcome by fans of Chevelle especially. Part of this is the authenticity of the lyrics, which hint that we're not free, but could be...should be. The constricted, tightly knit group-think of the modern world and its interlocking infrastructure keeps us hemmed in, and seems to deny us our essential humanity, siloed into isolated realities. Or perhaps it's about a personal relationship that does much the same.
These red flags are a warning Don’t believe all that you read These red flags are a warning Time to leave this place and be free
"Underneath the Sun" has a massive dominating doom sound with intimidating Black Sabbathesque motifs. The low-end is massive and deserves full speakers to really be appreciated. It contrasts effectively with Mikey Ward's searching vocals.
"Dark Horizon" is another one of my favorites, and has a larger than life feel, as if we're on a scouting mission in a slow trance searching for habitable worlds deep in the black, forbidding void of space. "It's slipping away, to the darkness I'm awake." The words seem to be speaking of a state of mind, of a man giving way to inner demons dragging him down.
Picture in my mind Can make it all feel right But I can’t find a way Toward darkness I can try
If you've been taking the album as it presents itself and just letting the record do its thing, you'll be well into the band's vibe by the closing pair of tracks "Beyond Sleep" (presented in two parts). "Somebody sing me to sleep," is the cry and it's the perfect way to end this record. The second half seems to answer the plea to soothe a soul "awake until dawn" with a beautiful heavy psych guitar passage and an interstellar progressive-psychedelic portal into an 8-minute alternate universe, entirely instrumental.
Look for Erronaut's The Space Inbetween when it is released this Friday, August 30th, on London Doom Collective (pre-order here). Definitely one of the year's best. Stick it on a playlist with Devil to Pay, Lamassu, Apostle of Solitude.
Give ear...
The Space Inbetween by Erronaut
SOME BUZZ
Originally formed in 2015 as Black Atlas, the Hertfordshire-based quartet – born anew as Erronaut – are thrilled to announce the official worldwide release of their debut album, The Space Inbetween, this summer on London Doom Collective.
Consisting of vocalist/guitarist, Mikey Ward; fellow guitar slinger, Peter Hunt, bassist Simon Wilson, and drummer Sam Gates (whose arrival sparked this new iteration of the band) Erronaut’s singular sound has continued to evolve at every turn. Drawing inspiration from the iconic 70s rock of Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd, the 90s grunge of Soundgarden, and stoner metal of modern torchbearers Lowrider and Fu Manchu, the band seek to conquer new frontiers.
"When we sat down to start writing, we made a concerted effort to push and explore ourselves as artists and collaborators," explains vocalist Mikey Ward. "With the amount of work we've done to create it, we’re really proud of how this album has turned out, and we feel this is a real representation of what we are trying to achieve, both in the studio and as a live act on stage."
Employing heavy atmospheric rock to power lyrical subjects that focus on love, loss, and existential introspection, the dynamic foursome has well and truly delivered The Space Inbetween. Hook-laden guitars conjure soaring post-metal vistas and showcase a huge progression in their song writing. From the volatile cosmic sludge of ‘Way Down Below’ to the down-tuned, distorted environs of new single ‘Lost Cause’, the band crafts immersive sonic landscapes that transport listeners to distant realms.
More than just a studio project, Erronaut is also a force to be reckoned with live. Known for their electrifying stage energy, their formidable reputation precedes them having performed at gigs and festivals across the UK as well as appearing at Bloodstock 2021.
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