Sleep
Dopesmoker
Sleep’s Dopesmoker
was recorded back in 1996 for London Records, who were clearly expecting
something slightly more commercial and promptly declined to release the
one-hour plus stoner epic. This led Sleep to disband shortly afterwards, fed up
of waiting for the music business to catch-up with them.
Dopesmoker is just one continuous track
of monstrous lead-like density. From the very first notes of heavily down-tuned
slow-mo sustain riffing, it’s clear you’re in the presence of greatness. The
vocals are barked yet still melodic as the song moves through several stunning
passages of dope-infused highs and subterranean depths.
The
new artwork by Arik Roper is excellent, depicting the pilgrimage of the
lungsmen. This version of Dopesmoker
can claim to be the definitive one and this album is still very much the high
watermark of the stoner rock genre. A must-buy even for those who don’t like
the style.
Austin
Matthews
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