Fusing lengthy doom drones with true psychedelic reverb, Stuttgart's Bees Made Honey in the Vein Tree (I like the use of the past tense; it's much more dramatic that it would have been in present tense) asserts hypnotic control and doesn't relent. Is this metal? Sludge? Rock? Yeah, and then some.

Bees Made Honey in the Vein Tree Aion (Magnetic Eye)

Mostly, though, this is music that demands attention. The band has an inerrant ear for the dramatic. Often this comes as a sneak attack, with a rush overwhelming a well-established drone. And sometimes the effect is immediate and in your face. Despite a sound that relies on repetition and patience, the band is endlessly inventive.

The sound has that nice, thick fuzz that has satisfied ever since the days of Blue Cheer and Vanilla Fudge. I wanted to see if Alex Newport had his hands in this; there's more than a bit of the ol' Fudge Tunnel in there as well--although these songs are more conceptual and longer that anything by the aforementioned acts.

When the sun goes down, the mind needs to wander. BMHITVT (even the acronym is a mouthful!) gives both room to run and something to ponder. Not to mention plenty to fear. This is a seriously accomplished album, one that sets the bar perilously high for anyone wishing to tread these tracks. Quite the brain seize.

Jon Worley