REVIEW ON 'PSYCHOTROPIC ZONE' (Finland)

ZIPPO - The Road To Knowledge

Zippo is an Italian band who have prior to this album released on more stoner rock styled record by themselves. You can find my review at the Psychotropic Zone site. The sound of the band has changed heavier and more progressive and is now close to some modern metal bands (Isis,Down, Mastodon etc.) but also includes some psychedelic elements. At times they rock on fast with fierce energy, sometimes they get very peaceful and atmospheric. The Road to Knowledge has been inspired by Carlos Castaneda’s book “The Teachings of Don Juan”.

After the psychedelic intro the technical, rather fast and at times heavier “El Sitio” progresses tightly in 5/4 time signature. “The Road to Knowledge” starts off in a pretty serene mode, but then there some heavier stuff with screaming vocals. A pretty nice number. Then comes the short, mellow and acoustic interlude ”He Is Outside Us” and after that the bouncing ”Chihuahua Valley” that somehow reminds me of System of a Down. ”Ask Yourself a Question” is at first beautiful, laid-back atmospheres, but soon grows inito quite hypnotic going in the vein of Tool. One of my favorites on the album! ”Lizards Can’t be Wrong” is a quiet and meditative track with harmonic, wordless monk choir. The tight and heavy, bouncing ”El Enyerbado” includes roaring vocals and is again liek System of a Down but without the melodic chorus. next we hear a heavy and progressive number entitled “The Smoke of Diviners” and half of it is softer stuff. Then comes another acoustic track ”Reality Is What I Feel”. The technical and hard-hitting “Three Silver Crows” is a peaceful, soft and a bit bluesy track with keyboards that does change into slow, heavy stoner rock in the middle. The album is finished with the pretty, laid-back and almost instrumental “Diablera” that has acoustic guitar, bass, percussion and keyboards as well as quiet humming. A very nice ending!

This album might take several rounds before it starts to open up, but after that the album proved at least for me to be a very enjoyable, rather original experience. Worth trying out. The band can also be heard on the two most recent, interesting Italian free download compilation albums called Desert Sound (www.perkele.it/desertsound.htm).

Dj Astro

www.unimeri.com/PsychotropicZone