Mothership is a 70s hard rock-influenced, blues-based, heavy rock band. The band’s self-titled debut release is a 45-minute journey back in time with a focus on the bass, drums and guitar, along with the vocals. Mothership is a three-piece outfit, hailing from Texas. Led by brothers, Kyle on bass and Kelley on guitar, the band was founded along with their father, John Juett. The boys were raised listening to their father’s music collection, so when it was time to start creating their own music, it’s not too much of a surprise that the family gravitated toward the ‘70s era. Mothership harvests the energy, passion and aggression of great bands from the 70s/80s – a great and magical era for bands such as The Who, Led Zepp, Sabbath, Motorhead and Thin Lizzy. Imagine those bands given a modern day Stoner Metal makeover and no doubt, you will end up with Mothership. As their excellent debut S/T album is a hard rocking blast from start to finish.
Mothership harkens back to when music was pure and heavy, not watered down. The band opens the album with “Hallucination,” a very Sabbath-inspired, heavy and plodding instrumental. “Cosmic Rain” brings vocals into the fold. The song continues the heaviness, but the tempo kicks it into another gear, energizing the song. Kells Juett handles lead vocals; he has a Glenn Danzig way of delivering the vocals melodies. Kells’ style can be described as talk-singing that progresses into a shouting motif. It works well with the jam-band style of riffing going on throughout the album.
“Win or Lose” opens with a classically inspired guitar intro that is very surreal and tranquil, showing off some dynamics in the confines of the music. That doesn’t last long before the heavy riffs kick in and hammer you. While the riffs are dark, heavy and ‘70s-inspired sludge, the solos are anything but. Rooted in pentatonic, Kells showcases fiery chops that meander in blues-shred and slides into more traditional heavy metal soloing. Being a three-piece, the bass is present in the mix. Brother Kyle has moments in the spotlight in which his chops are the focal point. And Smith has no problem unleashing double bass rhythmic progressions throughout the record.
Mothership unloads with a debut album that captures the energy of rock in a stripped-down sonic landscape. The riffs are heavy and crushing. As a three piece, Mothership fills the room with sound. While the band could be considered a “jam” band, there is a method to the madness, and the trio showcases raw skill and ever-expounding energy. The album is expertly played and produced by everyone involved. It’s a huge sounding album that will win a lot of fans and admirers in the Stoner Metal community like its currently doing now. Mothership is a band you will be hearing a lot more of in the years to come. And on this evidence, I hope they are here to stay for a very long time to come.
1. Hallucination – 0:00
2. Cosmic Rain – 5:08
3. City Nights – 10:03
4. Angel Of Death – 14:13
5. Win Or Lose – 21:05
6. Elenin – 27:04
7. Eagle Soars – 32:20
8. Lunar Master – 36:58
https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/mothership
https://www.facebook.com/mothershipusa/?fref=ts
