Trust these Canadians to do things differently. While the fuzzed out tuned down guitars and some of the riffs might be up the alley for fans of Kyuss, you won't really see these guys flashing their hairy moobs if there ever was a Stoners Gone Wild.

Seven Stairways, Madking Ludwig's second album, begins with Kursk, an down-up-down-up ride displaying all the things that's good about them. Good clear drum sound, rawking guitar riffs, eclectic flute and a male-female vocal attack done with utmost precision. Division Sun showcases more of their up-tempo metal and some of this would even go well in an arena.

But one's never prepared enough to face what's coming next. Speed of Ice and Dermatobia Hominis occupy the middle of the album and are arguably two of the strongest tracks you'll get to hear this year. Great doom vibe, complete showcase of swift arrangements, riffs and songwriting. Not to mention the unique vocal juxtaposition by Leila on Speed of Ice, especially when she takes us on a free-flowing improv ride halfway through the song. Very divine.

She shines again on Cease Not Desist when the song begins with just her and some cool drum rolls. Sure enough, the whole band explodes into all sorts of heavy. And just heavier and proggy from then onwards. It all somehow flows smoothly into the next track Alone With Us, another neatly done up-tempo fuzz rocker. The contrast both the vocalists bring to the table is astonishing and almost conversational.

You're not going to get guitar solos with this band, but there sure is more than enough tasty flute playing going on. It gets weirder on the album closer Seven is the Number when it's a sexy saxophone (Edit: clarinet) that accompanies the grooving rhythm section when Leila is doing her magic again. Great album closer, but falls just one song short of being a perfect album (Seven is probably their number, but 40 minutes is mine). Nevertheless, highly recommended – free to download too. Free as in free beer.



Label: Cypher Key/Bland Hand
Year of Release: 2008