Extra energy to Magnetic Eye Data: purveyors of reliably nice “redux” variations of traditional albums, populated by an astonishing array of up to date riff worshippers. Following on from commendable initiatives saluting AC/DC, ALICE IN CHAINS, BLACK SABBATH, HELMET, JIMI HENDRIX and PINK FLOYD, “Superunknown Redux” does the identical for SOUNDGARDEN‘s revered 1994 colossus, and with invariably compelling outcomes.

The enjoyment of those information is that few of the artists concerned are occupied with bashing out a easy carbon copy of their elected tune. Slanted closely, however not totally, in direction of bands from the stoner doom realm, it is a heavier and weirder tackle some seemingly unfuckwithable materials. There are those that play it comparatively straight: UFOMAMMUT‘s opening “Let Me Drown” sounds considerably as anticipated, however the Italians’ swirly doom is the right automobile for these hovering melodies. WITCH MOUNTAIN method “Limo Wreck” in a lot the identical approach; sticking to the script, however casually torching it anyway. Ohio’s VALLEY OF THE SUN give the title observe a vigorous pummel, however its grandiose construction stays intact.

Simply as SOUNDGARDEN‘s unique work straddled a number of kinds and moods, “Superunknown Redux” has range and creativeness in spades. MARISSA NADLER‘s “Fell on Black Days” is a ghostly, psychedelic marvel; HIGH PRIEST‘s “My Wave” does gently peculiar issues with its melodies and chord modifications, and sounds really blissed out consequently; and, inevitably, BEASTWARS take an iron cudgel to “The Day I Tried To Stay”, pumping liters of dirty aggro into the cherished grunge banger. Elsewhere, SOMNURI almost handle a straight-ahead tackle “Mailman” however get consumed by their very own ferocity earlier than it ends; FRAYLE flip “Head Down” right into a woozily gothic dying march; maverick weirdos SPOTLIGHTS make “Black Gap Solar” slowly eat itself, going heavier and hazier than the esteemed unique. Brilliantly, Australian eccentrics JACK HARLON AND THE DEAD CROWS stretch “Kick Stand” from its unique 94 seconds to a languorous, lead-heavy 4 minutes, whereas “Like Suicide” is reworked right into a churning, obsidian hymn by the enigmatic DARKHER. Better of all, HORSEBURNER pump “Spoonman” filled with rock ‘n’ roll steroids and undiluted THIN LIZZY juice and MARC URSELLI’S STEPPENDOOM someway discover a approach to make “4th Of July” even heavier. “Superunknown Redux” is proudly tethered to the spirit of SOUNDGARDEN‘s unique recordings, however under no circumstances restricted by it. Nice enjoyable, in different phrases.

As is mostly the case with Magnetic Eye‘s “redux” sequence, there may be additionally an accompanying “Finest Of Soundgarden (Redux)” album to discover. That includes one other giddy sprawl of stoner / doom / fuzz / psych alumni, together with WITCH RIPPER, JOSIAH, HEAVY TEMPLE, BLUE HERON and one other look from SPOTLIGHTS — their “Jesus Christ Pose” will upend your mind — it is going to have discerning folks scurrying again to their SOUNDGARDEN collections, freshly impressed.