Steak – Acute Mania
Release Date: 1st April 2022
Label: Ripple Music
Bandcamp
Genre: Stoner/Fuzz Rock, Desert Rock, Psych Rock.
FFO: Kyuss, Stoner, High Desert Queen.
Review By: Paul Franklin
Acute Mania is the third full length album from London Stoner rock quartet Steak and their second for Ripple Music following 2017’s ‘No God to Save’.
In the five years since that release, it appears the band have evolved/matured/developed (whatever you prefer to call it) their sound. Whilst still showcasing the band’s unique take on riff-heavy desert blues/rock, Acute Mania leans towards a more progressive and post-rock sound, creating a more introspective and brooding atmosphere. The intensity and ferocity are still there, they are just not the dominant ‘boot-to-the face’ that they were previously, tempered nicely by the relaxed, melodic elements.
As with opener Wolves, most of the tracks on the album start in a gentler fashion. Their longer running times allowing the band to stretch their musical legs and see where the mood takes them. And, to be honest, most of the time it’s also exactly where you’d want to go as well.
You want some crunchy riffs and a frantic solo-outro? You got it – Dead Meat.
You want crooning and bellowing in the same track? You got it – Frequencies.
You want some moody introspection with your stoner rock? You got it – Ancestors.
You want a dose of the 80’s with some cool female vocals provided by Chantel Brown from Vodun? You got it – Mono.
And, you want a glorious 8-minute plus spaced out stoner epic with a creepily suggestive title that nods towards both Tool and Pink Floyd? You definitely got it – Papa’s Special Custard.
Acute Mania is a fantastic album from a band demonstrating that they have the confidence to allow their music room to breathe. Towards the end of Dead Meat, just before the wah’d outro, a scornful voice states “I don’t need this shit!”
He may not…but you do!
(4 / 5)
