Time Signature Follow your nightmares...

Genre: psychedelic sludge doom

Across Tundras have operated in the underground over the last couple of years and to say that they are a very productive band would not be an understatement. Earlier this year, they released a split with their allies in Lark's Tongue. Both bands contribute two tracks each.

The two Across Tundras tracks are quite heavy and fall somewhere between sludge metal and hard rock. The opener "Low Haunts" starts out with sweeping instrumental textures recalling the psychedelia of the 1970s, but with a darker twist. When the song proper kicks in, the listener is treated to heavy and doom-laden hard rock with a slight hint of Black Sabbath influence and a progressive inclination. "Crux to Bear" is a more straightforward heavy rocker with a more aggressive edge.

Lark's Tongue's two contributions, while heavy, have more in common with dark alternative rock than with metal as such. But 'Aluminum' nonetheless seems to contain a couple of references to Alice in Chains.

Dark and introvert, the four tracks on the EP should appeal to fans of shoegaze music, in particular sludgy and psychedelic sludge rock.

J-Man Across Tundras is one of the more unique bands on the modern doom metal scene, and their one-of-a-kind mix of sludgy doom metal, southern rock, and psychedelia has given them recognition throughout their own local Colorado scene, as well as the doom metal community at large. If one could imagine a sixties' Western film with a doom metal soundtrack, Sage is exactly what that would sound like.

There's a distinct Americana vibe throughout the album, and I'd say that's what gives Across Tundras their 'western' sound. Match that with psychedelic experimentation and pummeling doom metal riffage, and it looks like we've got a pretty unique album on our hands! While none of the songs are particularly great, there's enough variation and new ideas to keep me entertained all the way through. Sage also sports a professional production and excellent musicianship; I have no complaints when it comes to discussing how well-made this album is.

Sage is ultimately a pretty fun release from Across Tundras, and the country-styled brand of psychedelic doom metal exemplified on this release is unquestionably their own. My biggest knock is that there aren't really any great tracks here, but it's still a satisfying listen in my mind. I'd say 3 stars are deserved here. People looking for modern doom metal that's anything but Black Sabbath and Candlemass worship are bound to enjoy this one.

Coffin Joe ..Here's something for your neurosis....

I didn't know the name Across Tundras before the album happened to land in my lap. The 4 track EP clocks in at 30 minutes, and just looking at the cover, should give you a good idea, what Across Tundras sounds like - words like loneliness, haunting, desolation springs to mind...in short, the whole post rock package. Although you should never judge a book by its cover, this time 'round, it's pretty much what you get. Instead of writing the review, I could just make a check list: 1) Slow, noisy guitars - Check! 2) Scott Kelly vocals - Check! 3) Mashed up drum sound - Check 4) Tracks clocking in at 5 min. or more - Check! 5) Distorted production sound - Check! 6) Neurosis guitar riffs - Check! 7) An acoustic track - Check! 8) Every track screams loneliness, desolation & haunting - Check! 9) A cover that says loneliness, desolation & haunting - Check! 10) Some sampling of sounds playing backwards - Check!

Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad album, but it's one that is highly unoriginal. The musicians is obviously talented, but the Neurosis influence is just too heavy for my taste. I would rather hear them compose something a bit more original. If I ever get tired of Neurosis, I could see me pull this out on a rainy day.