the echo and echoplex

Witchcraft || Listen

Compared to their self titled debut and Firewood, their 2005 sophomore release, The Alchemist is definitely the band’s strongest effort. The band’s no longer so reliant on Bobby Liebling for inspiration that you feel the need to check the songwriting credits. Sure, I doubt the band will ever be able to fully shake the influence of their elders (“Hey Doctor” is almost scary the way it channels Sabbath so effectively), but they compensate with superior songs that don’t fit neatly in the “stoner” or “doom” categories. There’s a grace and fluidity to tracks like “Walk Between the Lines,” “If Crimson Was Your Colour” (previously released on the limited edition split of the same name), and the three-part title track, and the band often plays with an almost progressive melody. That comes to a head with “Samaritan Burden,” the fifth song and highlight of The Alchemist. Here the band (vocalist/guitarist Magnus Pelander, guitarist John Hayes, bassist Ola Henriksson, and new drummer Fredrik Jansson) lays into a low simmering groove that’s accented by some great guitar accents and an overall masterful push-pull dynamic. With a song like this, you’d expect it to build up and then cut loose with a bombastic outro, but Witchcraft goes the opposite direction, ending in an almost folk-like manner. The interplay between the two guitars is simply beautiful. - Stonerrock.com

with:
Danava
Saviours || Listen

Due to a film shoot on Sunset Blvd, there will be no parking on Sunset. There will be street parking on side streets around the Echo and in the pay lots on Lemoyne. Also, Valet parking is available at 1154 Glendale Blvd.

8:30pm / $10adv, $12dos / 18+