The Argentine trio Las Historias has always been a band unafraid to explore the darker, more enigmatic corners of heavy psych rock. With House of Pain, their latest demo release, they offer a compelling glimpse into their evolving sound – a mix of raw intensity and hypnotic atmospheres that sets the stage for their anticipated second full-length album.
This demo captures the essence of what makes psychedelic rock so enduringly powerful: the ability to transport listeners into a world of sound that is both immersive and disorienting. The music here is thick with reverb and distortion, yet there’s a clarity in the execution that speaks to the band’s growing maturity.
Guitarist and vocalist Tomas delivers a performance that’s both feral and precise. His guitar work ranges from searing solos to riffs that grind like tectonic plates, creating a dynamic interplay between melody and sheer force. This is music that commands attention, with each note ringing out like a call to arms. Bassist Manuel and drummer Juan provide the foundation, their rhythms both grounding and propelling the music forward. Together, the trio locks into grooves that feel both spontaneous and deeply calculated, a testament to their chemistry as a band.
The recording quality of House of Pain is notably lo-fi, a choice that adds to the album’s unpolished charm. The use of just a couple of SM57 microphones captures the raw energy of the performances, giving the music an immediacy that polished studio productions often lack. It’s as if the listener is in the room with the band, feeling every vibration and every surge of sound firsthand.
The demo format gives the album a sense of urgency, as if these songs needed to be captured before they could slip away. This urgency translates into an album that feels alive, crackling with energy and potential.
For fans of heavy psych, doom, and stoner rock, this is a release that will satisfy – and leave them eagerly anticipating what comes next.
House of Pain may be a demo, but it’s a powerful statement, one that cements their place in the pantheon of psych rock. The album delivers on its promise, offering a raw, unfiltered look at a band on the brink of something big.
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Released by Electric Valley Records on August 2, 2024
