Morass Of Molasses - The Ties That Bind (2019) (New Full Album)

Morass Of Molasses - The Ties That Bind (New Full Album) June 7th will see Swamp master generals of the Reading scene Morass Of Molasses, return with their sophomore album on Wasted State Records. The low-tuned trio create the kind of lumbering heavy blues riffs which induce involuntary head nodding, now awake from a brief slumber, and emerge from the shadows to deliver their latest musical offering; The Ties That Bind. Taking on an altogether more earthly visage, this album is framed by themes of human connection, and delves into the deep-rooted interactions we share with each other and ourselves. The ‘Dark Forest’ motif that runs throughout this collection is the manifestation of these themes and uses familiar archetypes to guide us on this journey.

Once the introduction is out the way, the first two tracks show off their metallic side. ‘Woe Betide’ and ‘Death To All’ are pulverising slabs of sandstone that draw from the same well as Clutch and Down. They have a few quieter moments but the emphasis is firmly on distorted power chords, bluesy rhythms and great big beards, drenched in real ale. As the last few seconds of ‘Death To All’ segue into ‘Estranger’ though, the mood takes a significant shift. Here, Morass Of Molasses plunge right back in time to the early days of blues and perform a slow, blissed out number where the screaming fury of the first two songs only make sporadic appearances. It’s akin to being beamed out of an Electric Wizard gig and into a Mississippi bar where nobody gives a shit about the smoking ban. It’s atmospheric and strangely enthralling, but this is not a brief deviation by any means. For the next two songs, the dreamlike ‘Legend Of Five Sons’ and instrumental ‘As Leaves Fall,’ Morass Of Molasses stay firmly in the realm of the hypnotic.

Just as you’re starting to wonder if the rest of ‘The Ties That Bind’ will amble by in the same lazy haze though, ‘Persona Non Grata’ shows up. It immediately makes an impact by showing off the manliest guitar riff of the year and seals its reputation by including the runner-up as well. This one frankly, is Metal As Fuck and for seven whole minutes it’s like having an Apatosaurus fall on your head. ‘In Our Sacred Skin’ is pure sonic power and for a moment, it feels like Morass Of Molasses are going to end the record with a barrage of grimace-and-nodding guitar work, but nope, they shift gears again. ‘The Deepest Roots’ is another diluted-pupils meander through gardens of bliss. ‘The Ties That Bind’ could do with an extra song or two as its all over too quickly, but for a distinctive slice of stoner, you could do a whole lot worse. Enough bowel quaking low-end to fill another Sabbath album.

Review by Tim Bolitho-Jones

1. The Darkening
2. Woe Betide
3. Death Of All
4. Estranger
5. Legend Of The Five Suns
6. As Leaves Fall
7. Persona Non Grata
8. In Our Sacred Skin
9. The Deepest Roots

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