CB3 – Exploration
Release Date: 26th August 2021
Label: Majestic Mountain Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Psychedelic, Stoner, Krautrock, Shoegaze.
FFO: Hawkwind, My Bloody Valentine, Earthless, Pink Floyd.
Review By: Hillary Wisniewski
Broadcasting to you out of Malmö, Sweden, CB3 (aka Charlotta’s Burning Trio) is ready to take you space truckin’ into the unknown realms of distant galaxies of consciousness. Exploration boasts five tracks of massive sound and immense talent. Since 2013 CB3 dazzled listeners with instrumental tracks; however, now there is the pleasant addition of sparse vocals. The work serves “…as the inaugural leg of a heady space adventure which finds its lead protagonist physically entering his own daydreams; reveries which eventually form a new reality.” Sounds like a promising endeavor, does it not? I had some lofty expectations for Exploration, and I was not disappointed.
CB3 serves us up a heaping plate full of heavy psych riffs along with sides of precise guitar elements, mesmerizing and churning rhythm, and airy vocals. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this work is the immense amount of fuzz. To be frank-there is more fuzz on this record than on the leftovers in the back of your refrigerator (you are welcome for the reminder to clean that shit out). The tracks have interesting transitions; redundancy is not a factor on Exploration. Heavier, layered elements flow into slow burns, which gives respite from some of the more saturated sounds. The guitar work is varied in the aspect that there are moments of tight, cohesive playing along with more noodling, loose, and free-flowing sounds; it really speaks to the skill of Charlotta. Despite the immense walls of sound, the bass is not lost in the mix. Unfortunately, I hear that more often than not, so I was well pleased with the production in that regard.
This may not be a full on, knock down drag out metal record, but it is definitely worth a listen and especially for those who appreciate interesting guitar elements and varied use of distortion and sound. Heaviness is present throughout most tracks and the work is complex. The musicianship is solid, and the thematic elements are quite interesting. Lie down, turn off the lights, get yourself into a chill headspace, and go on the first leg of this musical journey. You won’t be disappointed. 
(4.5 / 5)
