Wild Wonderful Purgatory

While the term stoner rock is widely used, it can be a limiting one. For one thing, to many people it means that the music can only be appreciated by those who have partaken in the smoking of an illegal substance. That is simply not true of the genre in general, or this album in particular. Indeed, with the group's leaning on a combination of Black Sabbath-esque textures and a spacy jam-type meandering, the label does fit. However, they transcend it as well. Karma to Burn's Wild Wonderful Purgatory can perhaps be seen more accurately as a modern take on the power trio approach of such groups as the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, and Rush. With the spacy, almost psychedelic and experimental nature present, perhaps the first two fit better. However, the hard-edged metallic fury calls to mind more closely Rush's debut. These guys have such a great skill at creating dynamic melodies that you never really seem to notice that they have opted to forego the vocals altogether on this second release. This one is a great time, whether you are stoned or not. ~ Gary Hill