Midnight Zen

Although I'm taking a much needed break from orb straining imbibement, that doesn't stop me from further alluding to classic video game titles, this time Capcom's Strider, which, alongside Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden (one of the first series ever to feature cinematic cut scenes), took up many hours of my late twentieth century youth. Therefore, isn't it grand a stoner doom metal act from Türkiye by the same name now prevails here at MA, especially when taking in consideration rather strict band inclusion criteria on behalf of a certain esteemed yet unrepentant gatekeeper?

Clue: the first half of his motorcycle driven moniker ties in with the newcomers' debut's title, Midnight Zen...

Nudge and a wink aside, mellifluously ground hints of Belgium's Fire Down Below and Sweden's Dozer permeate the five man, five track fray, with front man Atilim's ghostly wails drawing a bead over his teammates mid paced droning and stewing which begins in earnest on "Hive", an upbeat and footloose introduction to Ankara's finest. To dwell further on potential non-metalness, there isn't too much to worry about, as the weighty riffs and stout rhythmic foundation loudly elevate the "heavy" factor. Even expansive tracks "Bystander Apathy" (a svelte eight minutes) and "Midnight Zen" (a roly-poly ten) fail to undermine Strider's slack attack, as its operators bump and grind with laid back familiarity and arid dryness so prevalent on "desert" rock. By the way, the sinuous solo on "Molly The (hatchet-less) Holy" is a big highlight.

Also, whereas the first two songs play it safe without many nuances, the opposite is true of the next three, which all course through instrumentally light and frolicking avenues before turning on the jets once again, as said crunch factor fully returns, ready to deter any genre detractors, whether or not they've a bone to pick clean on their oft ambiguous plate.

With these playful words, know there's no ill will towards Strider or, Hell forbid, the Archives' harshly disciplinary disciple(s).