Review: Red Stone Chapel ‘Omega Boombox’

German sludge rockers Red Stone Chapel released their debut record, Omega Boombox, on the 25th of October through Argonauta Records and it is eight tracks of southern rock with all the stoner, progressive, sludge and blues influences you could need in your life. The Sleeping Shaman even managed to snag ourselves a premiere for it. But in a world of a thousand bands that claim to do this kind of music, can Omega Boombox stand out from the crowd?

Red Stone Chapel ‘Omega Boombox’

The short answer is yes. Omega Boombox may not reinvent the wheel but that wheel is beautifully looked after. Opener Squid Limbo hits you with a big ol’ riff that just hits that sweet spot with bluesy groove. The gruff vocals of frontman Dimi suit the whiskey-soaked attitude perfectly, and the swagger is retained throughout. Red Stone Chapel are a band that aren’t short on confidence, and the Orange Goblin-esque thrust of Dead Man’s Chime and Praise The Fool are things of beauty. The great, looming shadow of Clutch also is very noticeable, and the opening to Panta Rhei would make Neil Fallon and crew proud! Red Stone Chapel are no tribute however. They’ve got a sound of their own.

Omega Boombox has most of everything you’re going to want in an album like this; hefty blues, swaggering RAWK grooves, gravelly vocals that aren’t missing an ounce of soul and some absolute killer riffs…

I’m a metal fan that appreciates all the brutality, ethereal blackness or suffocating death that I can get, but we all must admit to a weakness for massive bluesy grooves. I mean, this is where all hard rock and metal grew from; a style that if nurtured properly can still electrify even after decades of being overdone. Red Stone Chapel add a nice, rough and gruff edge to their stuff, giving it a real authentic feel. Like some rough old mountain lads kicking back some Zeppelin and filtering it through a little early Mastodon. I’ve been listening to the psychedelic doom rock of The Paper King on repeat for days, and I’ll never get sick of it.

Omega Boombox has most of everything you’re going to want in an album like this; hefty blues, swaggering RAWK grooves, gravelly vocals that aren’t missing an ounce of soul and some absolute killer riffs. Red Stone Chapel‘s debut is packed full of potential hits, and enough subtle touches to make it all their own. This is a band to keep an eye on for the future, as if they can build on their foundation here and maybe go even a little weirder next time, it’ll be special indeed.

Label: Argonauta Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Scribed by: Sandy Williamson