Short Reviews [Suns of the Tundra - 2019 - "Murmuration"]

Formed in 2003, Suns Of The Tundra were formed by ex-Peach (who released the acclaimed ‘Giving Birth to a Stone’) singer and guitarist Simon Oakes with Andy Marlow (bass, keyboards), Andrew Prestidge (drums, percussion and synth) and Mark Moloney (guitar). Peach will probably always be thought of in relationship to Tool, who not only covered a couple of their songs, but also replaced bassist Paul D’Amour in 1995 with Peach bassist Paul Chancellor, who is still there to that day. Suns of the Tundra are not exactly the most prolific band around (something else they share with Tool), as this is only their fourth album, the first since 2015’s concept album about Shackleton, ‘Bones of Brave Ships’. One can certainly hear Tool influences in their music (or is it the other way around?), and progressive tinged alternative rock is the order of the day. The production is huge, with great clarity for each instrument, plenty of space when it needs it, but also a real bringing together. While the ear is drawn to the vocals of Oakes, combined with the jangling guitars, it is probably bassist Andy Marlow who keeps it all together, holding steady with the drums and also just behind the guitars. The band list their influences as Rush, Tool, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Genesis, Yes and V.D.G.G., but while Tool and Sabbath are obvious it is only really V.D.G.G. from the others I would agree with. They call themselves a progressive heavy rock band, yet the emphasis is less on what people normally think of as progressive, and more of alternative combining with doom. It is a fairly slow album, and it is closer “Pond Life” which really brings it to life with a quite different approach. It was only when undertaking some research that I realised this was actually an early Peach number, originally performed some 25 years earlier. This is easily the most dramatic song on the album, and is a great closer, but also makes me wonder if the band are somewhat in the wrong direction? The huge filthy guitar sound on this song makes it stand out, so possibly this is where they should be going in future? It is this number more than any other which makes me think of labelmates The Fierce & The Dead, and it is going to be interesting to see what happens on from here.