Puta Volcano – ‘Amma’

By Ian Kenworthy

Puta Volcano lit the touch paper back in 2011. Two hard-rocking albums later, they’re exploding out of Athens, Greece, and heading onto the world stage with their third album ‘Amma’, expanding their sound as they move to a bigger label. They’re keen to impress and, putting it bluntly, they do. Taking no prisoners, they come bearing riffs.

If you missed their previous album, 2017’s ‘Harmony Of Spheres’ now would be a good time to check it out – we’ll wait. It’s well worth your time. If you imagine Blues Pills getting stoned in the desert with Led Zeppelin, you’re not far away. This time around, though, the band has added to their palette, and if you’ve heard the new Tool record, you’ll be able to trace their influences – particularly in the approach to the guitars, as they solidify their core sound while tweaking it for the better.

With most songs clocking in around the 4-minute mark, they never outstay their welcome, saying everything they need to while keeping focused. Alex Pi’s guitar is a haze of chugging and riffing, but it’s never dull; the album’s production helps here, pushing the druggy repetition you hear in the gutsy riffs of songs like ‘Primitive Data’. They’re both crushing and powerful, but a contrast to the confident swagger you hear on ‘Apnea’. The drum sound, too, is huge, popping and snapping while the bass drum adds significant weight to pauses in the riffing. The best example is ‘First Light’, where a combination of meaty riffwork and fast chugging keeps the energy high, while wild flourishes keep it sharply focused. All told, it’s absolutely glorious.

Vocalist Anna Papathanasiou uses her voice with skill and restraint, slotting in among the riffs, adding flavour rather than dominating. On songs like ‘Venus Lullaby’, her vocals use a hypnotic tone recalling Tool’s James Maynard Keenan and tickling the hairs on the back of your neck. Yet, when she lets loose on ‘Entropica’, she bites hard – again, ‘First Light’ is a stand out, although every song displays real class. The best moments come when backing vocals start to overlap with the main melody, infusing the songs with energy while adding considerable depth to the sound.

Everything here is satisfying, and yet on occasion, you find yourself wishing the band had pushed themselves a little harder, maybe trying something really out there. The seeds are sown, in the slower throb of leading single ‘Black Box’ as it plays with your expectations while holding a chorus that grips you hard. Similarly, ‘Kassandra’s Gift’ takes its time building atmosphere, extending the fuse before it explodes. For a time, it basks in a fuzzy, almost spacey atmosphere, revelling in intensity until the lead guitar saws it all apart – it’s an avenue for them to explore further next time, but you’re hardly left wanting here.

Puta Volcano are confident and have taken ownership of their sound. ‘Amma’ is a real blast – hard-rocking and thoughtful, with plenty to offer. You can’t help but sit up and pay attention.

IAN KENWORTHY

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