Wasif, Imaad: Two Part Beast / Strange Hexes

Listening to Los Angeles based Imaad Wasif one would swear this is a long lost treasure from the late '60s/early '70s. That, my friends, is not the case as Strange Hexes was originally released in 2007. Apparently, the psychedelic label World In Sound liked what they heard as they have rereleased the original recording on vinyl and CD.

The enigmatic man behind the music is formerly of the indie bands Alaska!, Lowercase and New Folk Explosion which to my knowledge are no longer active. He also played with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs during their 2006/2007 tour. He released his self-titled debut in 2006, quickly followed by Strange Hexes. His last solo album The Voidist came out in 2010.

The sound here is pure psychedelic guitar rock with a heavy nod to Zeppelin and Black Sabbath and perhaps a sprinkling of early '70s Floyd (I'm thinking the vocals) and The Beatles. For a modern comparison Canadian band Black Mountain would likely fit the bill. The tunes often start with gentler guitar before gaining tempo and heaviness. His fuzz laden guitar tone and relaxed vocals is really the core of this album. Both go hand in hand as he delivers psychedelic nuggets like the album opening "Wanderlusting", the mid-tempo pseudo hippy guitar excursions in "Unveiling" and the softer guitar soundscape in the Zep infused "Halcyon" where the catchy riff progression becomes quite heavy. The album continues in much the same vein as the tracks, although with subtle differences are really quite similar which might be good or bad depending on your point of view. Personally, I think the album has a great flow as Imaad's understated vocals ebb and flow through the hazy soundscape of heavier riffs and distorted tones.

I really like Strange Hexes and if you have any gravity towards psychedelic music I suggest you will too.

Track Listing:
1. Wanderlusting (4:54)
2. Unveiling (5:38)
3. Halcyon (3:32)
4. Oceanic (5:17)
5. Spell (2:59)
6. Seventh Sign (5:18)
7. The Oracle (6:36)
8. Cloudlines (3:55)
9. Lesser Banshee (4:40)
10. Abyss (5:13)

Added: May 3rd 2016
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label's Official Site
Hits: 1472
Language: english

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