Tigers On Opium is a band originally from Portland, USA born in 2015 from a group of veterans of the scene, passionate about Psychedelia and Hip-Hop as well as literature and philosophy. The result was a sound with personal and original characteristics, matured and perfected over time to date. Here we propose the review of “503. 420. 6669. Vol. 2” an EP released on January 7, 2022 via Forbidden Place Records and containing 7 tracks of medium length. The “Main Meow” opener is a short song of less than 1 minute characterized by the ringing of the telephone and a affected voice that introduces us to the record. Biting and powerful guitar riffs open “The Perfect Cocktail” which develops with an energetic vocal and a solid rhythmic session enriched by tempo changes. An energetic and rhythmic track with a deep and load-bearing bass line, catchy guitar riff, protagonist of the melodies with good solo cues in the second part. “82nd St. Harlequin” begins with an acid and distorted guitar and the drum that beats the time, the riffs become darker and more powerful with a hypnotic bass line. The vocal is energetic and this track features a quality Stoner, powerful yet engaging with the guitar taking center stage with a good solo in the middle instrumental section. In the second part after the vocal verses another guitar solo guides us towards the end of this track. “04 503.420.6669” is the title track and is a short 30 second passage with background music during a phone call. Connecting to the previous “Snowflakes” he starts with a tight rhythm and massive guitar riffs, able to fit in with interesting solo cues. The structure is solid and engaging, a concentrate of power that combines the Stoner with a light Punk touch, original and with personal traits, ending with a musical crescendo. A delicate and dreamy acoustic guitar arpeggio and a warm and expressive vocal open “Lotus Blossom” a softer passage. Full of pathos, it shows another facet of the band, very interesting creating a very pleasant dreamy atmosphere. The EP closes with “The Void” a short track of just over 1 minute, which ends with a phone call and atmospheric sounds in the background. Massive riffs, a solid rhythm session and a powerful vocal, but also a delicate track in the finale are the ingredients of this good EP. The band contains its own sound in a few songs, managing to involve the listener for the entire duration, between distorted guitars and hypnotic bass lines with precise and powerful drumming. Lovers of modern Stoner and Psychedelic sounds will surely find in this EP a listening to their liking, within which it contains all the ingredients that one would expect from a record of this kind.
Tracklist
1. Main Meow (00:56)
2. The Perfect Cocktail (02:55)
3. 82nd St. Harlequin (04:53)
4. 04 503.420.6669 (00:32)
5. Snowflakes (03:34)
6. Lotus Blossom (04:19)
7. The Void (01:23)
Lineup
Juan / Lead Vox, Lead Guitar, Sampler
Jeanot / Rhythm Guitar, Back up Vox
Charles / Bass, Back up Vox
Nate / Drums, Back up Vox
With:
Guest Vocals on “The Perfect Cocktail” by Suvi Chisholm
Guest Vocals on “The Void” by Matt Pike
