As Above, So Below is the second full length release from Victoria’s Findlay sisters, and it manages to take everything they’ve learnt from their swift rise to success and infuse it with the sound they so diligently established on their 2013 self-titled debut.
Almost immediately, opening track Sister unveilsa different Stonefield compared to three years ago. Once the opening feedback gives way to a heavy, doom infused wall of rock there’s no doubt that this is a more refined and mature group. Second track Dream keeps up the hulking sound, reinforcing that this is a more dynamic sounding Stonefield by taking everything that’s heavy about the first track and adding a more psychedelic feel.
As Above, So Below settles into a slightly more moderate atmosphere, but that isn’t to say that the new, heavier sound has been left behind. This is a rock album through and through and the double punch of Stranger and Eyes pops up with all its heavy, gloomy, kaleidoscopic goodness to make sure you don’t forget.
Towards the end of the album comes a change of pace with the Pink Floyd inspired Midnight, never quite becoming what it could be. It’s a good track, but within such an impressive album, the shortfalls stand out. If future Stonefield manage to nail progressive tracks as well as they’ve nailed the heavier, psychedelic parts of this album, they’ll be unstoppable.
It’s enjoyable to hear Stonefield expanding their sound in multiple directions, the sisters crediting Spiderbait’s Kram for encouraging them to use their talents to explore more genres, and it shows. As Above, So Below provides a varied listen without ever really leaving the realm of what Stonefield do best, straight up rock.
BY NATHAN QUATTRUCCI
