Formed in Cambridge, UK, in 2009, UNCLE ACID AND THE DEADBEATS draws heavy inspiration from the music of the 60's and 70's. Some fine folks are of the impression that this band is the bastard child of BLACK SABBATH, but I would hesitate to afford such a moniker to the band. There are definite elements of the sound that SABBATH pioneered all those years ago, but this is a different entity altogether. The band does have a more Doom Metal or Stoner Metal quality to their music but are in no way in the league of NWOBHM legends. Having said that, this album is a reissue of their debut effort in 2010. The band has since garnered quite a cult status and notoriety in their native UK and have, to their credit, performed at some of the biggest festivals in Europe and across the globe. Another feather in their cap is the band has performed with BLACK SABBATH on their reunion tour. So, despite their amazing journey, are these guys worth the reputation they seem to have garnered in the Doom Metal universe. This particular album had a very limited release and became highly sought out, which is why the band has reissued the album.

The album has eight songs with a runtime of just under 45 minutes. "Crystal Spiders" is the first song on the album as soon as the song starts, you know the band's intention. The song boasts of a melody that is more DEEP PURPLE than Doom Metal. The guitar work is engaging and plays off well with the percussion and organ. The song that gave off Punk-ish vibes was "Dead Eyes of London", the third song of the record. Just over 4 minutes of proto-Punk harmonies, this song starts off sedately but quickly becomes a rage-filled monster. I do think that this song is the standout song on the album for me as it also has a Rock n Roll feel to it. "Do What Your Love Tells You" and "Wind Up Toys" have flashes of brilliance in them but certainly not enough to hold one's attention.

This album is far from perfect. The band sometimes plays out of tune and timing and the record has below par production. That's the beauty of this raw gem. The tunes and melodies are omnipresent. The lead guitar solos are poignant and the songs are harmonious and varied. Each track has a life of its own. It's not very difficult to comprehend why this album actually has a cult following. It is sincere and the shoddy production value makes it seem like you're sitting in a pub and listening to a local band playing their guts out. The songs, sometimes wobbly, are quite easy to relate to and I am sure that there is something for everybody to take away from this album. This self-recorded album proves that you just got to do your thing without fear. It's inventive and an incredible introduction to UNCLE ACID AND THE DEADBEATS.