Amplifier – Trippin With Dr Faustus

A dirty intro distorted beat, welcomes us to “The Commotion” a good flow for anyone who welcomes this style of beauty, a sound so beautiful it’s dirty. There’s an addition of female vocals Beth Zeppelin on “Big Daddy”. Her voice adds to the flow of this record, Beth changes it up, her voice works well […]

Manchester’s Amplifier return with their sixth and most definitive album to date, ‘Trippin’ With Dr Faustus‘, due for release via Rockosmos June 30th. via Rockosmos, via all digital distributors and available on double 180g gatefold transparent vinyl, a collector’s edition mediabook.

I’m about to confess, and it’s not even Sunday. This is my first time listening to Amplifier, so let’s dive straight in, with “Rainbow Machine” unable to compare their sound to previous incarnations may hinder of harm how this record connects with someone like myself. Near the end of this track, drummer Matt Brobin and Alex Redhead add a beat to the scenario, taking over the moment, a good introduction for a novice such as me.

Trippin with Dr Faustus has plenty of groove for the hips swaying, head nodding, Camden beer lovers. “Freakzone” and “Kosmos” both stand out, but, more so with “Kosmos” it’s edgier guitar sound takes it to a different level on this record, the bass creates an atmosphere of implosion. There’s Pink Floyd elements on this record, but anyone with a prog reference will be likened to the Cambridge legends.

A dirty intro distorted beat, welcomes us to “The Commotion” a good flow for anyone who welcomes this style of beauty, a sound so beautiful it’s dirty. There’s an addition of female vocals Beth Zeppelin on “Big Daddy”. Her voice adds to the flow of this record, Beth changes it up, her voice works well with vocalist Sel Balamir with a duet forming in the future?

I did expect to hear “I keep a close watch on this heart of mine” as acoustic riff starts on “Anubis”. A complete sound changes to other tracks on this Amplifier menu. The electricity’s back on with “Silvio” a story about an arrogant man with a contract with Hades. Final track “Old Blue Eyes” has a Dead Kennedys vibe at the beginning.

So here we have it, the first listen of Amplifier’s Trippin With Dr Faustus, I hope you enjoyed the ride, the riffs, and the connection with Beth Zeppelin, who by the way met at a charity fundraiser.

Mark Wincott

June 30, 2017

Hey! I am Mark, a recovering grunger who had hair...oh and I once got barred from a Wetherspoons. I'm also always wondering who this "better" person people keep telling me I should know is!

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