Stoner rock outfit DWELLERS return with hard-hitting sophomore effort Pagan Fruit

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Salt Lake City rockers DWELLERS have made their triumphant return – and man, do these guys know how to make an entrance.

With their sophomore effort Pagan Fruit, DWELLERS secret recipe of stoner, acid, doom, psychedelic, and Southern rock is better and more refined than ever. Building on the solid sonic roots they established in 2012 with their debut album Good Morning Harakiri, the auditory experience of Pagan Fruit has been expanded into a soundscape that is equal parts futuristic and nostalgic. The album definitely charts new territory for the Utah-based three piece, while still paying just the right amount of homage to their previous release.

The opening track “Creature Comfort” begins by easing the listener into the dark, smoky atmosphere that sets the tone for the album as a whole- and climaxes at a staggering guitar solo that is as bluesy as it is heavy. DWELLERS front man Joey Toscano (formerly of IOTA) delivers many tasty guitar performances throughout the record and never disappoints with his strong, Jim Morrison-esque vocals.

Although there isn’t a sub-par tune on this album, standout tracks include “Rare Eagle”, “Devoured by Lions”, “Totem Crawler” and the utterly epic, eight-and-a-half minute jam session “Call Of The Hallowed Horn” which closes the record. Drummer Zach Hatsis and bassist Dave Jones (both formerly of doom rock outfit SUBROSA) bring the absolute best of their A-games in their respective departments (with Hatsis particularly obliterating his drum kit on “Call Of The Hallowed Horn”). It’s clear that collectively, DWELLERS have taken their musicianship and songwriting skill to the next level- and that growth is apparent on Pagan Fruit.

As far as influences go, traces of early BLACK SABBATH, ALICE IN CHAINS and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE all make themselves known here; but to be clear, this album stands its ground firmly with a sound all its own.

Released 06 May 2014 via Small Stone Recordings.

DWELLERS are:

Joey Toscano: vocals, guitars, harmonica
Dave Jones: bass, organ
Zach Hatsis: drums, vibraphone, Rhodes piano, synth, tambourine

Additional Musicians on Pagan Fruit:
Genevieve Smith: cello on “Spirit Of The Staircase”
Raven Quinn: vocals on “Call Of The Hallowed Horn”

Buy Pagan Fruit directly from Small Stone Recordings

Or on iTunes and Amazon

Also, be sure to “Like” DWELLERS on Facebook.