[Review] Lokruz – Lokruz

Lokruz is a Greek power trio born in 2014 in Athens, which after a few years spent refining the sound in 2021 began to release the first singles. The tracks were released on November 19, 2021 as part of the debut album titled “Lokruz” via Sound Effect Records. 6 medium to long duration tracks that mix Psychedelic Rock, Space Rock, Heavy Blues and Prog Rock inspired by the 60s and 70s. The opener “Ennio part 1” begins with bass and guitar arpeggios that are stratified, creating melancholic melodies to which the rhythmic session is soon added. After an intro of just over 1 and a half minutes the intensity increases and the guitar transforms with the distortion creating sharp riffs. A long solo section characterizes the central part, while in the lowering final the melodies become more dilated and full of effects. “Bullets hail” is a more Rocky track with more energetic drumming and driving bass lines, while the guitar is distorted and creates massive riffs. Enter the first vocal of the album that adapts to the sonority of the song, centered on acid guitar riffs and a good solo in the central part, prelude to the instrumental section that characterizes the second part. Alternating softer and accelerated moments with the last verses the track closes. This is followed by the longest of the album “My naked pride” with over 12 minutes in duration, characterized by a slow rhythm and more Bluesy features in the first part. The vocal is warm and expressive and soon the intensity increases with electric shocks of the guitar, granite and powerful. A song enriched by the tempo changes that allow the band to develop all their ideas by touching more genres and styles, thanks also to the long instrumental sections. A track that summarizes the sound concept of the band, certainly one of the highlights of the album with elaborate and well executed textures. “Runaway” is a track that releases all the power of the band that mixes modern Psychedelia with more retro features, creating an original song. The references to the golden years of the genre permeate the song which, however, is enriched by the personal traits of the band which has a strong point in the instrumental part with a good test of the guitar. The bass makes you vibrate, driving the sound, the solid drumming and the dynamic singing, in my opinion another good segment of the record. A dark atmosphere with a slow rhythm session and the guitar opens “Man in Hope” which features more melancholy traits, with good vocal rehearsal. The intensity increases as the song flows, with the entry of guitar distortion, which offers another good lead insert. In the finale it closes with the last vocal stanzas, enhancing the singing, dynamic and profound. The disc closes with the second part “Ennio part 2” which has a darker atmosphere and Stoner features, which like the first is entirely instrumental. The effects permeate the sound, with the guitar at the center of the scene between solos and granite riffs, while the drumming is powerful and the bass load-bearing, closing the album well. This debut album, preceded by the singles of the tracks featured here is enjoyable and contains some good ideas. The guitar is at the center of the project, characterized by a solid and sometimes elaborate rhythmic session with driving bass lines. A band that lays the foundations for other good plays in the future, a good starting point and a recommended listening for lovers of old and new Psychedelic sounds, managing to bring a 60s and 70s sound to the present day with a touch personal.

Tracklist

01. Ennio part 1 (04:28)
02. Bullets hail (06:09)
03. My naked pride (12:46)
04. Runaway (07:17)
05. Man in hope (07:32)
06. Ennio part 2 (05:58)

Lineup

Alessandro Castagneri / Guitar, Voice
Christos Chorianopoulos / Bass
Thanos Tampakopoulos / Drums

Lokruz |Bandcamp|Facebook Page|YouTube Channel|

Sound Effect Records |Official Website|Bandcamp|Facebook Page|

Author: Jacopo Vigezzi

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