Electric Citizen: Now there’s a name I haven’t heard in quite some time! Interestingly enough, despite getting lumped in with the occult rock scene, this Ohio based quartet formed in 2013, about the time things stated to die down for the Coven/Sabbath/Pentagram worship movement, and released the bulk of their work in the mid to late ’10s, when the sound was all but dead. I recall really digging said albums upon their release, especially 2014’s Sateen, but hadn’t kept up with good ol’ EC since. Upon further investigation, there hasn’t been much to keep up with! In terms of new music, this band has been virtually radio silent for the better part of 7 years…that is until now.
As one can likely assume from the title, EC4 is Electric Citizen’s fourth full length offering, and easily their most esoteric to date. This is the sound of a band not ready to rock, but rather ready to ritual, offering up yet another platter of heavy psych mysticism meets proto-metal muscle, albeit with an extra helping of the former. As a result, I can see why those who dig their ’70s metal throwbacks on the super ‘eavy side might be miffed by EC4, with its emphasis on hypnotic melodies, light passages, and tripped out atmosphere. That said, those with an open mind will at the very least feel their third eye blinking awake upon hearing this one.
This aforementioned freaker rock formula becomes apparent from the opening “Mire” with its folky guitars, eerie organ, and mesmerizing vocals of frontwoman Laura Dolan. Her delivery never ascends above a mousey whisper for the better part of this album, functioning less as a lead vocal proper and more another sonic layer of the trip. These dramatic contrasts of light and dark can be heard on cuts like “Static Vision” and “Moss”, while acoustic forays like “Tuning Tree” and “Flowers of Salt” come off as sort of Jethro Tull meets Moody Blues palette cleanses. No doubt about it, EC definitely tapped into their progressive side on this album.
This is especially evident on what might be my choice cut, the epic “Traveler’s Moon”. Somewhere between adventurous ’70s metal, blissful soft rock, and progressive showmanship, this 6+ minute epic sounds cut from the same cloth as Secret Treaties era Blue Öyster Cult (“Astronomy”, anyone?), which is always a welcome comparison in my book. By this point of the review, you’re probably wondering, “Is there ANY truly ‘EAVY jams on here!” Well, they’re far and few in between, but unlike Ferris Bueller, they are present. “Smokey” romps about with a two-headed guitar-drum attack reminiscent of early Heep, while doomy dirges like the crushing “Lizard Brain” and psychedelic “Other Planets” scream Pentagram worship.
Although the songs on EC4 tend to blur together sonically come the album’s sonic half, I gotta hand it to Electric Citizen for capturing a steady and consistent vibe with this one. This effort is so out of sight, that even a teetotaler such as myself can feel “far out”, closing my eyes, tuning out the world, and getting lost in a galaxy of musical madness unexplored, which is exactly what you want from an album of this nature. For those unafraid to get in touch with their cerebral side, give EC4 a listen and let Electric Citizen guide your trip.
7 out of 10
Label: Heavy Psych Sounds
Genre: Heavy Psych
For fans of: Lucifer, Ruby the Hatchet, Pentagram