Before even researching STONUS for this review, I had already pushed play on their 2020 independent release "Apasia". Here's the thing, before I even looked, I new this was a Greek band just from the 'sound' of the release. Indeed, the Stoner/Psych quintet is from Cyprus. The band dates back to 2015, and has most recently been based in London since 2018. There's definitely a certain "feel" to Greek stoner bands that I'm unable to really pinpoint. Perhaps it comes from a certain production or mixing style. What ever it is, it's distinctive to my ears for some reason, not that that's a bad thing overall. Just interesting I guess.

The album kicks off with a pretty useless short intro, before properly starting with "Awake". Overall, okay, but I found my focus to centered on the repetitiveness that populates the entirety of the song rather than really being mesmerized by the Desert Psych I want to be wowed by. While I found this trend prominent throughout, there's still much to be intrigued and excited by what STONUS are putting together.

Title track reeks of SABBATH "Paranoid" influence initially, particularly the Ozzy-like vocals Fangoulis emanates. It's an interesting song, especially how it deconstructs at the midpoint, meanders aimlessly, before raging back to life one instrument at a time. Much like "Awake", I found myself enamored more with the closing third of the song more than the remaining bulk, which ambles a bit to cumbersome for my liking. "Mania" is up next, and again I thought there was a bit to much 'useless wandering', but once the acidic vocals and pulsating riffs kick in, I'm more intrigued.

Perhaps surprisingly, I found myself really enamored by "Nadir". At 8 ½ minutes, it's the longest track on the 7 song, 44 minute album. Instrumentally it's a guitar heavy, bluesy Psych gem. Vocals neither distract nor enhance really, as the song really seems to thrive more from the guitar/bass/percussion dynamic. "Dead End" returns to the meandering intro, but impresses for the remainder. Slow and steady, it slugs on setting the stage for the album closer, "Ghost Town". Again and intro, and an attempt to set an atmosphere. Also again, ' a heavy SABBATH vibe that's a bit overpowering.

Ultimately, the album falls victim to too much repetition, and lack of direction. The mood setting intros take away from the base fierceness of the songs. At times, the album has the feel of experimentation that they've been unable to congeal. There's plenty to like for sure, they just haven't managed to put it all together just yet. Keep on keeping on.