Richmond Virginia based, Sadartha return with their sophomore release, Eden. Sadartha is the type of band your Mother would always yell at you to turn down. Loud, nasty, raw, imperfect. These are all ingredients that make up something truly great. Few bands today possess an effortless punk rock attitude like these guys. It’s simple because IT IS just simple, and genuine. Album opener “Nautilus“ is an instant eye-opener, hard and fast. Singer/Guitarist Johnny Noxious groans his artful lyrics “Singing siren, pull me deeper. Like the Kraken, hold me tighter” over a swimming pool full of flange and distortion while the drums and bass drive you into instant madness. The record continues on the creaky tracks of it’s fairly gloomy rollercoaster ride until it uncomfortably parks you at the top only to be screamed at in “You Lack The Courage of Your Convictions, Sir” which just begs for a mid 80’s CBGB’s style moshpit to erupt out of thin air scaring the shit out of the suits as punk rock aliens invade – “Fire in the sky, dance in the ashes!” – This brings me back to what I had said earlier, simple and genuine and it all just works so well. We now push forward to the part of the ride that leads you to loops and uncomfortable twists and turns. From the Silverchair style “Dragon Opal Goddess” to the dark tunnel that is “Deep As Blue”, which is probably one of the most cohesive tracks on Eden up until the final slow burning cliffhanger, “Dancing Flames” only to make you want to take the stomach churning ride all over again. Did these guys reinvent themselves from their debut, Heavy Sound Damage? Nope. But the growth is there in every aspect. Production, songwriting, vocals…everything has been brought up a notch but not to the point where Sadartha loses themselves. They stay true to their style and message. The grunge band from the future flying their dirty tattered flag true and proud. Another year or two and I feel like album number three will be THEIR album. You have been warned.
