Oblivious Goons and Master

by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer

2009’s Goons and Masters is the debut offering from Swedish band Oblivious. When a band cites Clutch and Dozer as primary influences, you pretty much know you’re in for a grooving stoner rock album, and that’s exactly what Oblivious delivers.

Aside from the expected groove and Sabbath/Pentagram worship guitar riffage, there is also a ‘70s rock vibe on Goon and Masters. Think Foghat or Grand Funk Railroad, only, you know, doomier. There’s also that uniquely Swedish sense of melody which makes Oblivious sound like the Scandinavian equivalent of Fireball Ministry. It’s heavy, but up-tempo.

Isak’s gravelly vocals only add to the heaviness. It all adds up to a totally rocking album that has all of the expected heaviness but remains accessible to the average rock fan. Leadoff track “Egoboy” is one of the album’s highlights, rocking with plenty of swagger. “Bring It On Me” is another winner, mainly because it sounds like something inadvertently left off Sabbath’s Master of Reality album. The whole album rocks with a similar energy. You end up enjoying it because it sounds so familiar.

Goons and Masters is a completely solid, completely enjoyable stoner rock album. It’s also completely forgettable. As much as you may be nodding your head while this album is playing, as soon as it ends you’ll be hard-pressed to remember what you just heard. The bottom line is that while Oblivious will undoubtedly appeal to serious stoner rock fans, you’re probably better off spinning one of your old Clutch albums or the latest from The Company Band.

Genre: Stoner Rock

Band:
Isak (v)
Jocke (d)
Per(b)
Daniel (g)
Sven (g)

Track Listing:
1. Egoboy
2. Throne
3. Red Eyed Goon
4. Master of Time
5. Kickin and Screamin
6. Bring It On Me
7. Dead End Night
8. Boiling Brain
9. Bide Your Time
10. Blind Faith

Label: Transubstans

Website: www.myspace.com/oblivionlkpg

Hardrock Haven rating: 6/10