The Supreme – Acid Universe
Origin: Fargo / USA
Release: 24.02.2023
Label: Argonaut Records
Duration: 40:18
Genre: Instrumental Rock / Retro Rock
What can The Supreme mean? The band name leaves many possibilities open. From literary characters to a leading mafia head to a Mexican wrestler, all possible interpretations are open to us. In the specific case The Supreme an instrumental rock band formed about fifteen years ago as a one-man project by Chad Heille Founded.
At the beginning he also played all the instruments himself and only worked with the two musicians on the first demo in 2008 Tom Canning and Neal Stein together, who contributed their skills on the guitar.
But really came The Supreme not in momentum, because Chad Heille and Neal Stein were both in the US Stoner Band until 2018 Egypt involved. That was the main focus of Chad during this time working on the three albums and many split and compilation releases of Egypt. This was extensively toured around the globe.
Only after the end of the band came along Clarity Through Distortion 2019 the self-produced debut of The Supreme out of here. Chad Heille focused more than ever on drums while playing the ex-colleague Neal Stein playing the guitar and Chris Gould left the organ and keyboard sounds. Also was with Cameron Dewald another musician engaged for the bass. In this short hour of instrumental rock music, the guitars and keyboard tones, which were deeply rooted in the 1970s, were woven into an intensive network. That will turn up now Acid Universe also continue like this and with Argonaut Records a corresponding label has also been found.
Between a relaxed car ride and a jam session
A heavy, sluggish intro called Crowley Magick starts the album. But the following four long and overlong songs Acid Universe remain true to the path taken on the debut. Already The Ghost Of… offers us a wide range that draws its basis from the areas of hard rock, stoner and retro rock. Bass and drums provide a bluesy rhythm and the electric guitar slowly works its way into the piece. It is the ideal sound for dreaming or for nightly drives in a convertible under the starry sky.
At first you can only feel the Hammond organ subliminally. But more and more this builds on old ones Deep Purple Days reminiscent sound on. While the rhythm fraction steps into the background, guitar and organ play around each other for a long time. At least temporarily you can also feel dark, heavy blues influences in the compositions. And that makes the difference to the debut. If everything still seemed fixed and composed, then it excited Acid Universe the spontaneity and the jam. At the latest after The Ghost Of… do you like the album or can’t get anything out of the relaxed and sprawling jam.
From the heart of Portugal to the universe
With instrumental rock music you have to follow the mental cinema created by the song title and the musical content. So leaves the following 261 To Lisbon tapping on a bus route towards the Portuguese capital, of course, or settling for the realization that 261 is a central postal code in the heart of the capital. Relaxed and chilled out, guitar and keyboard instruments play their game of hide and seek.
The hour of the fuzzy e-guitar strikes White Hot Fever Dream. The beginning is completely dominated by distorted guitar tinkering. From the middle of the piece, the song picks up speed and deserves the title Fever in the title. Eventually the song spirals into a heated session.
The four gentlemen of The Supreme leave even at the final Acid Universe not the paths taken. Guitar and keyboard sounds play around each other for eleven minutes, which later change in the direction of organ. Much has been said so far Acid Universe written so it HERE it’s time to get a final impression of the relaxed feeling.
Conclusion
The Supreme let us participate in a spontaneous, lush instrumental session. Especially friends of fuzzy guitar playing and the retro sounds of a Hammond organ get their money’s worth. On Acid Universe it’s not about speed and heaviness, but about relaxed surrender and flow with and in the music. In this respect, the Stoner friends get their money’s worth. 7 / 10
Line Up
Chad Heile – bass, drums
Neal Stein – guitar
Chris Gould – Orgel, Keyboards
Cameron Dewald – Bass
Tracklist
01. Crowley Magick
02. The Ghost Of…
03. 261 To Lisbon
04. White Hot Fever Dream
05. Acid Universe
Links
Facebook The Supreme
Bandcamp The Supreme
Also on Soundmagnet.eu
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