Samsara

The Well plays a style of stoner metal that is deeply rooted in the desert. The Austin, Texas trio’s fuzzed out guitar tones and psychedelia swagger initially suggest an American southwest aesthetic common in the genre, but one finds more visuals inspired by Ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia thanks to the sweeping atmosphere and mythology-tinged lyrics. Their 2014 debut, Samsara, may not have the most unique sound around but there’s a certain beauty in its straightforward delivery.

While the powerful stoner grooves are what drive the songs and draw the most attention, The Well’s dual vocal format is what ultimately helps them stand out from their peers. Aside from select segments, guitarist Ian Graham and bassist Lisa Alley deliver their lines almost exclusively in unison with a filter that can make them almost indistinguishable at times. Individual lines are rudimentary and often yield to the riffs, but the doubling effect greatly enhances the ritualistic intent.

It’s also nice to see the band offer some awesome songwriting. As eye-rolling as it can be to open a doom record with a sample, “Mortal Bones” comes off with its introduction with a particularly triumphant set that is followed up quite nicely by the Orange Goblin-swing of “Trespass” and the more charging “1000 Lies.” “The Eternal Well” proves to be the album’s biggest highlight, making the most of an eight-minute runtime with sprawling riff work and fun guitar/vocal match ups during the verses. Part of me feels like the take on Pink Floyd’s “Lucifer Sam” could’ve been cut, but it manages to be a neat addition.

Overall, The Well’s debut album isn’t the most revolutionary desert rock album out there, but its approach is pretty distinct. The mystical aesthetic gives Samsara a sense of scope not often seen in this style while the powerful riffs and dual vocal format help it stay engaging throughout. One can imagine a few extra frills or more active vocal trade-offs, but the approach is grounded with the right amount of development behind it. Anyone looking for a fun yet refreshing take on stoner metal should seek this out.

Highlights:
“Mortal Bones”
“Trespass”
“1000 Lies”
“The Eternal Well”