(By Brian Halsey, Staff Writer, RiffRelevant.com)
From the rolling plains of Iowa, Telekinetic Yeti‘s most recent release, via Sump Pump Records, has virtually steamrolled into the top slots for many underground heavy music playlists. Some of us like to let a new release venture its own way.
All you fellow wretches who were blasting other sounds the last few months, let’s take a minute to find out what all that Yeti hoopla is about, shall we?
When a band is chugging along on the proverbial doom hype train, I make it my business to hop on board and investigate the noise for myself. Much like the zeppelin scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, if they don’t have a ticket, I punch the entire band in the face and launch them off the ride. Luckily, Telekinetic Yeti have a pass to ride for as long as they damn well please.
The band’s 2017 release ‘Abominable’ (recorded at Flat Black Studios and mixed by Luke Tweedy, with mastering by Carl Saff at SAFF Mastering) is an avalanche of glorious sound. It is fuzzy, crunchy, and spacey all at once.
Witness epic journeys in the form of riffy metal, like the second track ‘Electronaut’ or the instrumental voyage ‘Colossus.’ Both songs display the variance and precision Telekinetic Yeti can pack into a groove. They are a hybrid of heavy riffing doom and psychedelic exploration.
Alex Baumann (guitars and vocals) and Anthony Dreyer (drums) have developed a concrete rapport that gives the duo enough muscle to carry the heavy moments necessary for an album in their genre.
‘Stoned and Feathered’ is a prime example of how loud Telekinetic Yeti is capable of sounding. The album is very clear, but not over produced in a way that makes it sound slick. It sounds just like you imagined in that daydream you had during your bout of astral projection last week.
Believe the hype. ‘Abominable’ does what a great psychedelic doom album should do: It makes you feel like a wooly mammoth surfing through the cosmos while dodging multi-colored lightning and riding on the back of a Megalodon shark (you know exactly what I’m trying to say).
Take a listen. Have a watch. Everyone else is already a believer.
‘Abominable’ – Track Listing:
1. Abominable
2. Electronaut
3. Stoned and Feathered
4. Colossus
5. Lightbearer
6. Apophis
7. Beneath the Black Sun
8. Himalayan Hymn
Telekinetic Yeti‘s ‘Abominable‘ is available via digital stream/download or vinyl pressing (now in its third press, as the damned thing keeps selling out!) through Sump Pump Records’ Bandcamp Page. The band also has some selected merch available via their Big Cartel page.
They are also embarking on a run of tour dates next month with Weedeater – see the dates and venues below and go let them blow your gasket.
TELEKINETIC YETI – TOUR DATES
- Aug 14 – White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX
- Aug 17 – The Lowbrow Palace – El Paso, TX
- Aug 22 – The Catalyst – Santa Cruz, CA
- Aug 25 – Obsidian – Olympia, WA
- Aug 28 – Highline – Seattle, WA
- Aug 29 – The Shakedown – Bellingham, WA
- Aug 30 – The “PIN” – Spokane, WA
- Sep 04 – Hi-Dive – Denver, CO
- Sep 05 – The Riot Room – Kansas City, MO
- Sep 07 – Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL
