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A boisterous blend of psychedelia, post-punk and big ol’ riffs, Black Space Riders’ fifth full-length sails into familiar sonic realms. Opener Lovely Lovelie is fattened with Monster Magnet chunkiness as gravelly, Neil Fallon-esque barks slam against fleeting death growls. It’s a punch to the sternum, followed by an invitation to dance alongside Another Sort Of Homecoming’s arse-shaking rhythm. Laden with croon-along melodies and subtle keys, stepping back from the full-on electronics that marked their Beyond Refugeeum EP, the Riders’ latest offering is a spaced-out vessel of sonic excellence. Vocally, their Bowie and Tom Waits-isms really shine on Movements and Soul Shelter (Inside Of Me). They can’t just be written off as a gaggle of German stoners getting too adventurous either, because these songs are superbly crafted, the likes of Fire! Fire! (Death Of A Giant) outshining any Black Pyramid singalong. It’s, like, a journey, maaan.

Alec is a longtime contributor with first-class BA Honours in English with Creative Writing, and has worked for Metal Hammer since 2014. Over the years, he's written for Noisey, Stereoboard, uDiscoverMusic, and the good ship Hammer, interviewing major bands like Slipknot, Rammstein, and Tenacious D (plus some black metal bands your cool uncle might know). He's read Ulysses thrice, and it got worse each time.