Gnob is an odd name for a band, but that doesn’t stop them from making music that needs to be heard. On July 28th, they released an album called Gnob II, and we will talk about what they accomplished with it on a musical level.
About Gnob II
Gnob is a heavy psych four-piece band that is based in London. Per their Bandcamp description, Gnob are …
“influenced by psychedelic and traditional music from around the world, resulting in an eclectic fusion of Eastern, Arabic, psych, rock, and fuzz.”
Gnob II is their second full-length release, and you will hear bits and pieces from all of those influences across its runtime. Not to mention that it’s evident to me that they take their music seriously while also not taking themselves overly so.
The Songs
1. Altar (01:52)
This is just a brief intro that includes acoustic guitars, assorted percussion instruments, and an exotic vibe.
2. The Sacrifice (08:33)
This is the first full-length track, starting with a sweet bass groove. I’ll probably mention this again, but the bass playing on this record is superb! The lines are interesting yet never feel out of place, supporting the song instead of dominating it. The guitars rest heavily in the psychedelic realm, creating a transcendental vibe and perfect for the track.
3. Sun Dance (01:37)
Time for another brief segue into the next track. The tone is again exotic, making for an interesting transition into the next song.
4. Sands (07:16)
This is my favorite of these first four tracks. The guitars enter after a brief intro, and once you hear them, they will stick in your head for hours. The overall groove and interesting sounds are memorable, with an almost hypnotic vocal performance that ties everything together tightly. The extended instrumental sections are on equal footing with the main part of “Sands,” so there’s much to love during the seven-minute runtime.
5. Prayer Chamber (03:11)
Have I mentioned how much I love the bass playing on Gnob II? It fills the empty spaces beyond reproach, syncing up with the percussion with incredible style and panache, while the guitars keep things atmospheric and psychedelic.
6. Double Spice (07:00)
The outro to “Double Spice” has some of the best bass playing on the album, and that bass is the highlight of this final piece. It’s nice to hear interesting bass lines that also serve the song, and, along with the drums, it helps to keep the entire band in the pocket and on time for the entirety of this tune. As for the song itself is yet another fantastic undertaking by a band who knows exactly what they’re going for and then gets it every time.
7. The Jade Monkey (05:27)
Unsurprisingly this track has incredible bass grooves and an exotic tone and is put together well. Gnob seems to be masters of their craft, making immersive and provocative music.
8. Bread And Jasmine (08:38)
Kicking things off is what I refer to as “spacey,” which is a holdover from the end of “The Jade Monkey.” As with the rest of the album, this track is filled with solid playing, interesting musical choices, and a vast array of percussion instruments.
9. Beyond The Dune Sea (01:23)
This is the last of the shorter, transitional pieces, closing the album sublimely!
Final Thoughts
Gnob II is one of those albums that will pull you in, enveloping you with a warm psychedelic hug. A lot of that has to do with the rhythm section, whose superior playing is the foundation of every track and a central component of the band’s overall sound. So head to YouTube (666MrDoom has it) or Bandcamp, and lose yourself with this album. Enjoy!
Support Gnob by finding them on Bandcamp or social media (Facebook).
This review was written by Tom Hanno, who has been writing reviews for the last 7 years but has been sharing his love of music for the majority of his life. Originally starting out at the now-defunct Chimera Magazine, he is currently contributing to Doomed and Stoned, The Sleeping Shaman, The Doom Charts, Tom’s Reviews, and The Third Eye. Read more of Tom’s reviews by checking out his Linktree.
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