#denverisheavier. Denver's own cosmic heavy rock trio Cloud Catcher is on a mission to make this hashtag commonplace in reference to Denver's heavy music scene; a vibrant, thriving scene which the band itself is a crucial part of. They've only been on the scene since 2013, but over these past four years, Cloud Catcher has made quite a name for themselves locally, playing gigs every chance they get and opening for acts such as Intronaut, Black Tusk and Lord Dying.
Their 2015 debut Enlightened Beyond Existence was a great primer for what this band is about: '70s-influenced, psychedelic heavy rock that'll make you bang your head as much as it'll make you boogie. The band's follow-up, Trails of Kozmic Dust, is an exploration into the band's spacier side, borrowing as much from Led Zeppelin as it does Mahavishnu Orchestra, wrapped up nice and tight in a decidedly classic rock stogie.
Trails of Kozmic Dust is essentially an homage to everything that makes '70s-influenced rock n' roll so great. It's quite obvious the band recorded it live, and the album's raw production hearkens back to the days of old, when bands actually had to knew how to play their instruments to achieve the results they wanted. What's more, the songs themselves maintain that classic vibe while still managing to be fresh. Guitarist/vocalist Rory Rummings' riffs are positively vintage in the best way possible, and conjure up the spirit of names of guitar greats such as Page and Blackmore. Bassist Kameron Wentworth's tone is dirty as hell, as any good bass tone should be in this style of metal, while drummer Jared Solomon Handman lays a solid, albeit busy foundation for the rest of the band to shred to their heart's content.
Whereas Cloud Catcher's debut showcased a simpler approach to their hazy brand of rock, Trails of Kozmic Dust shows a spacier, more airy side of the band that feels entirely natural. Nowhere is this more evident than in the album's two closing tracks, "Super Acid Magick" into "Righteous Ruler," which grooves and trudges along like a modern "Dazed and Confused." Sure, Cloud Catcher aren't reinventing the wheel by any means, but there's something about this style of music when done well that one can't help but appreciate. This is feel good, zone-out, head-bobbing rock n' roll that deserves to be spun on the turntable.
Score: 7.5/10
