Thrones is a solo project for bassist Joe Preston, currently a member of High On Fire who also has spent time with The Melvins, sunn0))), Earth, and These Arms Are Snakes. His latest release Day Late, Dollar Short is an interesting piece, merely a collection of rare and unreleased songs that combines elements of stoner rock, noise, prog, avant-garde, and even a little hardcore. Sound strange? Well, let's face it, it sure is. The guy can play a mean bass though, especially when he has the distortion and volume cranked up-check out the manic Blue Cheer inspired mayhem of "Simon Legree" for some purely sludge-ridden bass sounds. Even a tune like "Obolus" reeks of doomy delights, with its insanely distorted lead bass and odd sound effects. The guy also likes to noodle around with keyboards and drum machines, as evidenced on "Epicus Dommicus Bumpitus", "Easter Women", and "Piano Handjob", songs that would instantly appeal to fans who love the stuff that you normally hear on the avant-garde ReR Megacorp label. "Oracle" sounds like a throwback to doom bands like Black Sabbath, Trouble, and Saint Vitus, while covers of Blue Oyster Cult's "Black Blade" and The Who's "A Quick One" are humorous yet effective.
Overall this is a mixed bag but there are definitely some neat psychedelic and avant-garde sounds amidst the doomy thunder. Preston is obviously a talented musician with a boatload of zany ideas, and it will be interesting to keep on eye on his future Thrones projects to see if he can streamline and focus them a little more and really hit a home run.
Track Listing
1. The Suckling
2. Young Savage
3. Algol
4. Reddleman
5. Genex
6. Silvery Colorado
7. Coal Sack
8. Epicus Dommicus Bumpitus
9. Piano Handjob
10. Simon Legree
11. Easter Woman
12. Valley of the Thrones
13. Oracle
14. Black Blade
15. Obolus
16. Davids Lib
17. A Quick One
18. The Walk
19. Nostos Algos
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