siLLy puPPy PIKE 131 - DOWN IN THE BAYOU PART ONE is the 30th album released by BUCKETHEAD in 2015. Being the freak that he is, the chicken lover released two albums with the same title and this PART ONE was released after PART TWO. Another all instrumental affair with BUCKETHEAD playing all the parts. This one clocks in close to the half hour mark at 29:20 and four tracks.

While the title track ended PART TWO, here on PART ONE it begins it. This one clocks in at 10:16 and has a mix of things going on. It starts with a stop / start grungy guitar chord while a spooky atmospheric spaciness is in the background. Must be synthesized cuz i’m not sure what the sounds are. The tempo is mid-paced and there is an interesting dynamic between the layered sounds that weave around each other. Now that i think of it, this kinda reminds me of the track “Promised Land” by Queensryche in how it begins with the atmosphere but the guitar itself is more of a Link Wray surf guitar sound. I like this one. Different and well done.

Track two “Swamplands” clocks in at 6:42 and starts with the same slow intro with power chords that sustain and then kicks into some doom metal in the vein of slow Black Sabbath only more distorted. It then drifts into a spaced out type of doom metal that is slow, brooding and has a kind Hendrix trill on the sustain. Another interesting one in the combo effect.

Track three “Moss” clocks in at 7:31 and begins with a guitar feedback and then commences on another space doom metal track that picks up the pace marginally while maintaining a slow marching melody.

Track four “Murky Waters” clocks in at 4:49 and has the same kinda doomy atmosphere but has a different type of alternative metal riff albeit at a slow tempo. There are slow upper register guitar riffs as well. Basically an alternative x doom metal hybrid. Not bad but not quite as interesting as the other tracks.

This one keeps me entertained. Highly recommended for doom metal lovers who love the speed turned down and the atmosphere pumped up with a few alternative metal moments here and there. For a slow speed album this is one of his more effective efforts, at least for moi.