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Seismic Shifter

    
       
       
       
   

 

    
             
Baleful Creed are a heavy rock band from the UK formed in 2009, releasing their debut E.P. 'Killing Time' in 2011. The 'Buried Beneath' E.P. followed in 2012, with the bands 3rd E.P. 'III', released on Halloween night the same year. The bands self titled debut album was released in 2013 and was a re-mixed and re-mastered edition of the bands two 2012 E.P. releases. The band toured extensively in support of the album and in 2016 writing and recording began for the follow up album, which can be pre-ordered by clicking here. 'Seismic Shifter' is set for a late May 2017 release.    
             
Heavy rock takes on a whole new meaning when Baleful Creed play, they induce elements of Stoner Rock, adding a dash of the melodic and throwing in the odd doom metal riff. The bands second album gets underway with the moody and pulsating 'Devil's Side'. A mid tempo and very heavy stomp, the powerful deep gravelled vocals are definitely rooted in the Stoner Rock genre. Baleful Creed play with energy and intensity, which can be heard during the frenetic 'Faux Celebrity'. It has a catchy chorus for the listener to sing a long to and a galloping rhythm to allow for some head banging. The opening double salvo of energy gives way to the more mellow and Black Sabbath-esque 'Forgiven'. All mean and moody sounding, the slower tempo and sheer heaviness evokes traces of doom and blues. This vibe is carried on into 'God's Fear', a rumbling romp of chunky, chainsaw style sounding riffs. Baleful Creed certainly know how to mix it up.    
             
The band have definitely grown over the last few years, in terms of maturity and song writing, experimenting with their sound and not afraid of trying something different. 'Grind' finds itself meandering through varying genres, such as Stoner, progressive and grunge, reminding me a little bit of the direction Scottish band The Almighty took with their 1993 album 'Powertrippin'. Superb guitar work and a mild punk edge, 'Grind' is a great song and a definite highlight of the album. A very heavy groove based riff welcomes the listener to 'Levy', which has a bold swagger about it as it strides majestically on. Touches of Southern Rock have been thrown into the mix and believe me when I say, you will be tapping your feet and swaying your head from side to side to this one.    
             
With an increase in energy and urgency, 'Lose Religion' accelerates into life, evoking the powerful, punk tinged rock sound that legendary British band Motorhead made all their own. And in fact, the vocal performance does sound a little similar to Motorheads iconic front man, the late Lemmy Kilmister. The pace is once again slowed with 'Memento Mori' taking on the doom and blues groove style of heavy rock. The chunky riffs, the pulsating rhythm, the swash buckling swagger and 'Memento Mori' becomes an intriguing journey. 'Walking Wounded' is more doom and groove, blues and grunge, and has the best swagger of any of the slower tempo songs on the album. The guitar work and the power house rhythm section are working in perfect harmony and as 'Walking Wounded' passes the half way mark, the intensity increases and boy does the song punch hard. Bringing the album to a close is the catchy, one foot in power ballad territory 'The Wolf'. With a much more soulful vocal performance, the chunky, buzzing style guitar sound remains intact and 'The Wolf' picks up pace and energy as it draws the album to a close.    
             
Overall, heavy rock fused with Stoner, blues, groove and grunge style influences, Baleful Creed have delivered an infectious and swaggering album.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Baleful Creed    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Baleful Creed      
           
"an impressive debut album full of foot stomping rhythms, deep throaty gravel like vocals and superb guitar work" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
The Lowdown      
           
"a thumping and heavy hitting journey of varied influences, Baleful Creed travel through Stoner, grunge and hard rock in forty, oh so memorable minutes" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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