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Four
records into their flawless and ebullient discography; Totimoshi
continues to drop some of the most underrated heavy rock albums
of the decade. The awesome power of their third and previous
album
¿Mysterioso? seemed so mighty many
had jumped to the conclusion that it would be the band’s
pinnacle; but it takes exactly one listen to Ladron
(Spanish for ‘thief’) to realize that only time will tell. With
a thick rustic sound courtesy of Page Hamilton (Helmet)
Ladron breathes through its grooves and exquisitely blends
stoner, classic and doom rock. The opening title track slowly
grows in volume, instrumentality and speed, and it serves as a
springboard for a record that does not let up from there.
Guitarist/vocalist Antonio Aguilar has effusively grown in all
aspects; his riffs perfectly balance power with melody and his
vocals work the mellow and the aggressive without losing touch
with reality just as well. Aguilar’s partner marks the
difference here, Meg Castellanos’ bass thumps like a giant in
Lilliput and it’s all one could ask for of a bassist. With the
final addition of Luke Herbst in drums, their Spinal Tap curse
may be over, and it would serve them just as well as Herbst
style is complimentary, placing the emphasis in the songs
instead of on the playing.
The main
difference between Ladron and
¿Mysterioso?
lies in the absence of that grunge element that was quite
present before. Much of that space seems to have been taken by a
clear Melvins influence. Having been handpicked by Buzz and Co.
to serve as their opening act this is no surprise. Take
instrumental “To The Fire” for instance; it could be a track
right out of Houdini, and that’s a great compliment by
the way. With thrusty dynamics and constructed with the loose
precision of a Lego castle Ladron is prog-rock for
Neanderthals, and is also too elegant to be called stoner rock.
Hailing from Oakland, CA and in the game since 1997, Totimoshi
truly is one of those unheralded bands that will apparently be
judged by time.
Official Site
Read the TOTIMOSHI Interview
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