Sigmun
Sample CD
Self Released

7/10

Back in the seventies, rock was the prevalent music genre. It is, for all intents and purposes, the musical style that defined the popular music of that era. Rock bands sold millions of records while constantly trying to push artistic boundaries, sometimes for the worse. The likes of Led Zeppelin, Kiss and Black Sabbath regularly sold out stadiums and Yes, Pink Floyd and Emerson, Lake and Palmer released long, ambitious albums that frequently border on the ridiculous if not downright idiotic. Seventies rock, whether  you like it or not, helped shape the sonic landscape we are confronted with today.

Sigmun is a four piece hailing from Bandung that, according to their facebook page, lists Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Son House and Jack White as their influence, all names that influenced, defined or continued the legacy of seventies rock. Indeed, their music betrays their obsession with those artists, with blues-based riffs, huge guitar sounds, howling vocals and dramatic soundscapes all playing prominent roles in their musical palette.

In the wrong hands, this could and would have been a recipe for disaster. Luckily, over the course of the 4 tracks sample cd I got my hands on, they show enough ability, creativity and personality to set them apart from countless other bands that mine the vast vault of seventies rock. “Land of the Living Dead” is a rousing stomping number culminating in a storming guitar solo by lead guitarist Nurachman Andika. Second track “Bones” is a hard rocker in the proud tradition of Led Zeppelin’s Achilles’ Last Stand, featuring a pretty impressive effect laden instrumental break that you just have to bang your head to. “Valley of Dreams” is a song that starts much more slowly, weaving a psychedelic texture that brings to mind the more abstract stylings of krautrock bands such as Can or Amon Düül, before closing the proceedings with a Black Sabbath-esque bang. “Red Blood Sea” features slide guitars and vocals that pay homage to the White Stripes and is probably the song that veered closest into the realm of pastiche.

All in all I think it’s safe to say that I will be expecting great things to come from this band. Alone their willingness not to jump into the danceable/quirky-indie-folk/pop bandwagon that seems to plague many young bands these days is refreshing. But even putting that aside they show more than enough promise to come up with a work that will expand the already laudable foundation laid here.