DESERT STORM
“OMENS”
Album Review by Chris Palmer

8.5/10

Hailing from the UK comes Heavy Stoner Rock outfit Desert Storm.

Formed in 2007, the band has released four full length albums, with 2018’s excellent “Sentinels” being the last release. Now the five-piece, consisting of Matt Ryan (Vocals), Ryan Cole (Guitars), Chris White (Guitars), Elliot Cole (Drums) and Chris Benoist (Bass), has released a fifth opus upon the Rock and Metal world.

That record is entitled “Omens”, and is available as a limited edition 12″ vinyl. Limited to just 300 copies (although a digital version is available via the band’s bandcamp page), the record was released at the beginning of May via APF Records. Each side contains four slabs of pure Desert Storm sounds which culminates to forty minutes of heavy delightfulness.

Side A begins with the introductory spoken interludes of “Omens”, which directs you into the excellently heavy riff-driven “Black Bile”. More heavy riffs then pull you into the impressive “Vengeful Gods”. With its slow, pummeling rhythms, this third chapter of Side A will have you nodding your head in appreciation. The session ends with the powerful rhythms of “Pain, Grief And Suffering”, which rumbles along with varying tempos and moments of melancholy.

The beautiful sound of guitar licks introduces you to “The Path Of Most Resistance”, as Side B begins. With differing levels of tempo and heavy grooves, this number is one of the best on this album. The guitar solo in the second half is truly exquisite, and leads you into that beautiful guitar sound before the track closes. Meanwhile, the slow and heavy punishing riffs of “The Machine” provide for a serious workout on the neck muscles, as those familiar vocals of Matt’s spew forth.

Penultimate number, “Lockjaw”, is the shortest instrument-led track of the album. Launching straight at you with heavy grooves, this number will lock itself into your consciousness with its wonderful rhythm. As you swiftly reach its ending, you’ll want to hit repeat before continuing on towards the album closer, “Rebirth”. Beginning with more beautiful acoustic guitar licks, this number rolls along and is accompanied with a lighter, clean vocal performance from Matt, resulting in a soft and intoxicating number.

Overall, “Omens” is another strong addition to the Desert Storm discography, and should contribute towards helping the band climb up towards the summit of the Heavy Stoner Rock & Metal genre. However, being limited to just 300 copies of 12″ vinyl, I fear that many traditional, vinyl aficionados might miss out on this one. Never-the-less, the album sees another strong performance from this heavy quintet, as they deliver one of the top albums in their chosen genre.

TRACKLIST

Side A

Omens
Black Bile
Vengeful Gods
Pain, Grief And Suffering

Side B

The Path Of Most Resistance
The Machine
Lockjaw
Rebirth

https://desertstorm.bandcamp.com/

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