Dead Meadow: Force Form Free

Forged out of the Washington, DC punk/indie scene, Dead Meadow formed in 1998 and have since moved to the Los Angeles area. They have released ten albums thus far including their 2023 release titled Force Free Form. The band is clearly informed by ‘60s psychedelic rock, creating layered soundscapes filled with trippy jams and chilled out atmospheres.

Playing on the album are:
Jason Simon (vocals, guitar, organ, synths)
Steve Kille (bass)
Mark Laughlin (drums)

Unfortunately, this would be the last album to feature Steve Kille as he sadly passed away from cancer in 2024 (RIP). The band’s latest effort Voyager To Voyager purports to focus on their fallen member’s legacy.

The lead off instrumental track “The Left Hand Path� begins with a big drone-like riff, loaded with fuzzy distortion that develops into an interesting chord progression. The repeating patterns are near trance inducing, just settle in and let yourself get hypnotized by this slow brewing psychedelic trip. “The Lure Of The Next Peak� starts quiet with its slow groove and trippy soundscape complete with a little psychedelic guitar noodling and Eastern vibes. I’m digging the chilled out evolved jams and winding synth lines. The instrumentals continue with “Valmont’s Pad� with its stoner rock riffage and deeply resonant guitar tone. Eventually the band’s psychedelic side takes over and it’s 1967 all over again. The acoustic and electric guitar in the mellow “To Let The Time Go By� reminds me of early ‘70s Floyd with its easy flowing atmosphere and psych infused sounds. The stoner psychedelia of the title track and the trippy guitar in the album ending “Binah� are more highlights.

Force Form Free is a wonderful listen, its creative flair melding psychedelic and stoner vibes hit all the right notes. Recommended!

A Blues Funeral Recordings’ release.

Track Listing:
1. The Left Hand Path
2. The Lure Of The Next Peak
3. Valmont’s Pad
4. To Let The Time Go By
5. Force Form Free
6. Binah

Added: May 21st 2026
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 22
Language: english

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