Formed in Virginia Beach in 2017, SNAKE MOUNTAIN REVIVAL cut their teeth by initially playing improvised freeform gigs in the local area, before releasing their first EP in 2018 to some critical acclaim. The band's sound is best described as Heavy Psychedelic Rock, the members come from diverse musical backgrounds, drummer Josh Woodhouse has a background in Progressive and Death Metal, bassist and vocalist Ryan Chandler comes more from the Psychedelic Rock scene while guitarist Zack Trowbridge is experienced in Jazz, Blues and Surf Rock. All these influences and more are evident throughout the eight deep and heavy hypnotic grooves to be found on the band's full-length debut "Everything In Sight." Although the main thrust of the album is a highly tripped out take on the Desert Rock style of artists such as Josh Homme and associated projects like KYUSS and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, there are also strong elements of Acid Rock, Surf Rock, and the Space Age Pop influenced work of 70s film composers such as Jesús Franco.

The sheer power of this trio is immediately felt in the heady, swirling jam that is "Satellite Ritual," the track feels its way through six minutes of darkness, revealing layer after layer of sonic experimentation as it goes. Chandler's vocals, although drenched in reverb, are captivating as he demonstrates impressive control, soul and feel. "Moon Baron" ups the ante a little, with some SABBATH-esque riffing accompanying Chandler's increasingly confident and soaring vocals, this time without being drowned in as many effects. Standing in stark contrast to this, third track "Just A Feeling," brings us gently back down to planet earth, like the wash of relief as the dark veil of a bad trip is lifted.

Not wishing to stop the emotional rollercoaster the band has embarked upon, "Graveyard Grove" tears off the band-aid so lovingly applied by the previous track, and thrusts us headlong into a gritty, jangling Spaghetti Western that explodes into fuzzed out madness as it approaches its resolution, you can almost sense Quentin Tarantino stage-side, taking notes.

Central to the album is the lengthy title track "Everything in Sight," weighing in at over eight minutes this spaced-out track twists and turns with a surprise around every corner and is a lesson in the proper use of restraint, as the guitar note selection is sparse, precise and minimalist. While guitar solos are used sparingly across the LP in short vignettes to punctuate the hypnosis, "Pheremone" breaks this mould as Trowbridge treats us to a series of epic psychedelic guitar detours, culminating with a sensational outro piece.

Approaching the end of the album, by way of the Dick Dale tinged Surfy instrumental "Water Moccasin," final track "The Valley of Madness" is a fine culmination for this psychedelic desert road trip, three minutes of soulfully gloomy lament to bring this pilgrimage to a close. The production on this album is top notch, ably handled by co-producer Danny Zawacki and guitarist Zack Trowbridge, who clearly has some experience in these matters. Every detail of every instrument is resonant and captured in explicit detail, effects are used not sparingly, but tastefully as he builds the multi-faceted sonic landscapes the album traverses. The guitar tones are immersive, at once crisp and chunky, the bass warm and Josh Woodhouse's drums sound as if you could be stood in the room with the band. The song writing is excellent, although being a traditionalist, personally I would like to hear a few more choruses that take the songs on a deviation, but that isn't really in the chosen lexicon.