OBSiDEONEYE - Stone Ladders

OBSiDEONEYE

Stone Ladders
self-released; 2014

3.3 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

OBSiDEONEYE is a three-piece rock band from Asheville, NC comprised of Paul Wuerfel (vocal and guitars), John Hansen (lead guitar) and Edwin Mericle (drums). They recently released a three-song EP entitled Stone Ladders that focuses on lyrical-based songs. All you need to do is look at the album art to get an understanding of the concepts and topics Wuerfel sings about; mythology, civilizations, folklore and magic. It kind of reminded me of Spinal Tap. The subject matter is not very personable but nonetheless the fantasy-based lyrics aren't something that you hear every day. 

Musically, they play rock somewhere between sludge and metal. The guitars are usually caked with some distortion and the rhythm section does its part to support the hooks. 

The band kicks off the EP with “King Of Ages.” You have to at least respect a song that starts with a short lead guitar solo and that’s what they do here before they go into the main verse. Wuerfel sings, “Come join the world conspiracy Cuz you don't believe in science Options cease to be Man-made Crusade Of parasites Who function on reliance Dead weight can't carry me.” The song is somewhat catchy and as it progresses there are a number of blistering guitar solos. 

“Blackening Skies” follows a similar structure of a slew of guitar solos and fairly catchy vocal melodies. Wuerfel’s lyrics are fantasy-based as he sings lines such as “Serpent unwind Race toward the blackening skies” and “Turnin' of Tides Shape earth uneven.”

The band ends with the highlight entitled “Sisters of Queen.” It starts with just vocals and guitars before it explodes into the most triumphant moment on the EP. The guitar line is solid as Wuerfel delivers his best vocal melodies.

Stone Ladders has some decent material but the recording quality could have been improved. The guitars sounded a bit thin and the bass was often hard to hear. Despite these minor issues Stone Ladders is worth checking out. 

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