Black Toaster Releases "Astrobird" EP, Delivering Their Most Sophisticated Sound to Date
A toaster is a very handy appliance indeed, but it's a musical one of a sable hue and Swiss manufacturing that is quite deserving of some more appreciation, especially here in the United States. Of course I mean Black Toaster, a stoner rock trio who, so I'm told, "sound(s) like an old jeans jacket". Fair enough, but I'd also like to mention the band's infectious stoner groove, punk rock spirit, and timeless rock n' roll soul delivered in a manner that's equally classic and modern...kind of like a trusty denim jacket, now that I think about it...
Anyway, the group has been regularly releasing singles and EPs since 2021, first grabbing my attention with their 2024 EP Flying Rage Machine. Now, the band is back with their longest release to date, the six-track EP Astrobird. All of the songs on Astrobird were "live tracked and mixed in an analog studio" with the goal of creating "an old school sounding record with a modern touch, not too compressed and with lots of dynamics".
Black Toaster - Astrobird
1.) Astrobird
Black Toaster's raw analog approach is apparent from the first notes of opening track Astrobird, particularly in the standout gritty bass and pounding drums that completely fill your ears (in the best way). A strong base of heavy rock makes up the foundation for this track, delivering warm and groovy 70s tones. This is challenged a bit by the punk rock flair of the choruses, but interestingly, the energies vibe incredibly well together, especially with the introduction of some trippy stoner psych that kicks off around the midway point.
2.) Liberty Loan
Liberty Loan is another song that cleverly builds off of contrast - this time between dense and rumbling stoner/doom and buoyant and energetic stoner/alternative. The memorable, hooky choruses take off and soar, triumphantly breaking free of the thick mire before plummeting back down again, giving the listener the best of both worlds.
3.) Lord of the Mountain
Lord of the Mountain has a much more laid back, feel-good stoner and heavy rock aura, marked by a lot of soul and some notes of trepidation in the verses. Once again, vibrant choruses really make the song - giving it a discernible identity while filling the listener with electric energy.
4.) Acid Metal Fan
Acid Metal Fan blazes by with tireless momentum, a heavy-hitting cyclone of coarse stoner and a ton of rock n' roll swagger. A punky/alternative air from the vocals brightens up the song a bit, adding a modern energy to the mix.
5.) Dead Inside
One of the longest tracks on the EP, Dead Inside is a very comprehensive showcase of Black Toaster's musical influences. It's all here: sunny alternative rock hooks, gritty and sweaty heavy rock drive, pockets of psychedelic interludes, and waves of weighty stoner/doom.
6.) Fireflies
Fireflies is a quick but ultra-catchy track that wraps up the Astrobird EP. Coarse but smooth and vibrant but soulful, this song will leave you wondering where Black Toaster's sound has been all your life.
Final Thoughts
Astrobird delivers a noticeably more sophisticated version of Black Toaster's sound. The increased focus on heavy rock creates a timeless, warm atmosphere that's beautifully emphasized by the band's analog production. Meanwhile, vibrant alternative rock gives the EP a modern and catchy brightness, while punk and stoner rock deliver a characteristic gritty soundscape. Perhaps best of all, these styles effortlessly bleed into each other and combine so seamlessly that they're often hard to pick apart - the mark of a well-rounded signature sound that Black Toaster has truly made their own.
While I love how Black Toaster reminds me of the melodic punk anthems that I had on heavy rotation as a kid, the band's prominent heavy rock feel and classic analog production intensely appeal to the grown-up in me, making Astrobird by favorite Black Toaster release to date.
More About Black Toaster
You can follow Black Toaster and listen to their music at the following links:
A massive thank you to the band for the promo!
Check Out Screaming from the Heavy Underground on YouTube!
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