As Stoner Metal/Rock is full of cloning bands (that ones that copycat others) on one side, and on the other there are those who loves to transpire moldy on the sound recordings. Both aspects are boring to deal with, and it can cause the fans to get away from the genre (even a simple mention can cause problems between fans). But there are those that use different elements to bring some fresh air to it, and the North American quartet LO-PAN, from Ohio, is one of them, as "Subtle", their latest album shows.

The band prefers to use a clean and heavy insight on Stoner Metal, with the bitterness of their music coming from the instrumental tunes. But their vision is based on a more melodic and cleaner sound, what brings it to a broader public, because their charming melodies, good and well-built choruses, and a sober use of musical technique enable them to be assimilated by any Metal fan. And this album sounds melodic and tender to our ears, even with its music being crude in some moments.

The main secret: the sound production. "Subtle" was produced and mixed by the hands of James Brown (not the old Rhythm 'n' Blues singer, but that one that worked previously with NIN, GHOST, FOO FIGHTERS, and others) and mastered by Ted Jensen (MASTODON, DEFTONES, BAD COMPANY, and others), and their perspective created a sound quality that enables the band to sound aggressive and crude (due the organic instrumental tunes), but clean in a way that the listener can understand the quartet music without problems.

11 very good songs are waiting for the fans, and "10 Days" (an oppressive song with very good rhythmic work, what means that bass guitar and drums are doing great on it), the groovy melodies of "Savage Heart" (excellent vocals and guitars with a simple technical work), and of "Sage", the brutal greasy ambiance of "Everything Burns", the technical bitter touches on "A Thousand Miles" and "Khan!", and the sharp and atmospheric melancholy of some moments of "Butcher's Bill" are the ones to begin with, but the fans of Stoner Rock/Metal will love the album entirely.

LO-PAN really did a great work on "Subtle", and maybe they're up to make something that will renew Stoner Metal/Rock. Only time will tell if such thing will happen, but they really have talent enough for that.