If Alice In Chains recorded Facelift today it might sound like the modern Rawk classic that is The Balance of Nature Shifted by Melbourne’s Foot. Tapping into the pure, unfiltered and unfettered by outside money sound that Grunge started as, the latest from Foot is terrifically tantalizing and a must have in 2020.
Amidst an echoed backbeat leading into some heavy chugging and layered vox, “Despair on Hope Street” captures that Grungy feeling perfectly with a strong statement of fuzzed out intent. “E-Sports”, on the other hand, is an entirely different sort of monster adding in the intricacies of Soundgarden (“Non-State Actor” comes to mind) to Foot’s sonic palette and topped with dreamy vox from Foot guitarist/vocalist/mastermind Paul Holden before another huge chorus hits.
“Green Embers” is a monolithic, sludgy new Doom anthem beginning with a haunting refrain before a barrage of bass and drums lay it on thick while “Ride It Out” is practically the second coming of Kyuss’ “Demon Cleaner” turned on its’ head by Holden’s hazy vocal delivery.
“Investment” takes us into modern Desert Rawk territory with a ditty that’s driven by a huge beat and chunky, hypnotic riffage which head towards a beautiful breakdown and then “Break the Altar (Light/Shade)” traverses Black Light Burns’ moody ground with this Wes Borland-style guitar work from Holden with hints ’90’s-era (the) Melvins throughout.
And later still, shimmering guitar lines and a steady groove drive “Manic Progression” towards the gorgeous concluding anthem “High” which is a sprawling beastie traversing a plethora of sonic terrains to end on a definitive, ahem, high note.
The Balance of Nature Shifted is available on May 1st through Copper Feast Records and is a solid find if you take the chance. Get yours now by clicking here or on the stream below and be sure to check out the rest of what Foot has to offer by clicking here. For more on Foot, including where to catch them in a setting at some later date, head here.