When your name is breathed in the same sentence as Soundgarden and Queens of the Stone Age, it can’t be a bad thing. The influences of Boston trio Sundrifter are clear, but are only a small chunk of their armoury.

Second album Visitations (Small Stone Records) bursts into life with ‘Sons of Belial’, riffs buzzing around a rampant rhythm section and vocalist Craig Peura careering between Josh Homme and Chris Cornell with seemingly little effort. There’s a definite Desert feel but the harmonic vocal and skipping nature of the tempo is reminiscent of Classic Rock, and while the ensuing ‘Death March’ slows that a little, there’s a Led Zeppelin vibe rising from those dirty, oscillating riffs and solos.

 

 

As the band’s vocalist and guitarist this may seem a vehicle for Peura’s not inconsiderable talent. He is, however, more than ably assisted by a titanic rhythm section. The soaring, wonderful ‘Lightworker’ sees a furious yet tight display of drumming from Patrick Queenan, while Paul Vaughan’s galloping bass is low slung and sweeps the marsh floors. ‘Targeted’ and ‘Hammerburn’ have that Mojave feel reminiscent of QOTSA and The Doors’ spacier moments, but remain driven by rhythms straining at the leash to be let go, whilst switching pace in perfect synchronicity.

The second half of the album sees a heavier, more introspective side of the trio. ‘Til You Come Down’ and ‘Sky Peoples Son’ are crushing yet blustering mammoths, the former possessing a slowly sashaying chorus which injects a downright sexy groove into an already seductive track. ‘…Son’ sees Peura’s remarkable vocal range and clarity reach new heights as lumbering yet addictive power destroys all around him, the song ending in dreamy Psychedelia. And whereas the somewhat perfunctory, weighty ‘Fire In The Sky’ misses the irresistible bounce of earlier tracks there’s a dark, sinister vibe which makes for compelling listening.

The trippy atmosphere is heightened by gorgeous closer ‘I Want To Leave’: a resonant, lush slice of Americana with warm airs and Peura’s beautiful harmonies cocooning gentle jangles of guitar. The desert has given birth to some fine fruit this year, and the heartfelt invention of Visitations most definitely falls from the same tree.

7.5/10.0

PAUL QUINN