Out in the mist, into a smoky haze of dope, it doesn't really matter from where you get this stuff as surely it will have some kind of hold over you. Sydney, Australia is rather far from the US Stoner association, yet it proved itself quite capable by augmenting the murkiest source of fueled Heavy Rock sensation, a kind that only that 70's spawned back in the day. ARROWHEAD started out more than a decade ago and got themselves into what seems to be where they want to be at. Whether back to the basics, or simply be the basics, their vibe is well received and felt. "Desert Cult Ritual" dashes forward as their sophomore album, hailing through the US label, Ripple Music.

ARROWHEAD, more or less like other bands in their musical proximity nowadays such as KADAVAR / ORCHID / GREENLEAF for instance, employs those muddy drenched grooves, a sort of continuation of what BLACK SABBATH delivered in the "Vol. 4" or "Sabotage" days. Some of those groovy riffs, circling this here album, were written too close to some of the old SABBATH 70's hits. However, in the band's defence, when one is knee deep in his influence, it is hard to stop what is coming out of it. Even still one of the key elements of this album is the psych soaked guitaring. On the most part simple and to the point, even when employing several lead melodies. Maintaining the life span haze of the riffs is the backbone rhythm section that deploys a solid tightness, quite invigorating and tributing the vintage. Second element is the song structures that is another honors made for old SABBATH and even to the other side of the camp, LED ZEPPELIN. Between diversity and straight up rudimentary, there is a crossing of passages and tempos as they go, slow paced digging or mid tempo grooving, the craving continues. Lastly, it was not easy to escape those Blues soloing swarms that did the honors for Jimmy Hendrix. To be honest, who really wanted an escape from those fuzzy gems? Too bad those weren't much around, but enough to keep the appetite in check.

Just when I thought that I would stumble on another version of "Planet Caravan", I was knocked out by the cerebral attack of "Weed Lord", a song that let's you feel the edge of comfort right before it snatchs you under with its heavy slow tempo cascade. This one is a true hit that clears yet another path to the next generation of 70's influenced bands. "Maneater Blues", acting up like its name, catchy Blues tune with ounces of vintage distortion to the mix, aspiring for no rules in the jungle in the music business, treating its listeners with an aching lead guitaring spike. I would also recommend on "Hell Fire", unsimilar to the previous two I mentioned, treading with a bit more energy and extra emotive urges, another song that is ought to be a part of the band's set for every show they do.

In overall, "Desert Cult Ritual" is a keeper for your collection. It still has heights and points to reach, yet doing the honors for both Rock and Metal. Keep it simple but in the same challenges with its grey vapor.