Harms Way - Oxytocin

*=Staff's pick	As Time Goes By High Becomes Low* Million Ways* Move Your Face Tsunami 9 Out Of 10 Prime Time* Hocus Pocus

Genre	Stoner/Alternative	Dim	Vocals
Tracks	8	Freddie	Guitar
Runningtime	46 Min.	Erik	Guitar
Label	Black Lodge	Dim	Bass
Release	22 Sept. 2006	Stipen	Drums
Country	Sweden	-	Keyboards
Similar artists	Abramis Brama, Kyuss, Mustasch, Tool

Harms Way is the name of the last album that the band Terra Firma recorded, Terra Firma is also the band that Freddie played in. When they disbanded he formed, along with old time friend Dim, a new outfit entitled Harms Way. Originally they started under the moniker Root Of All Evil but along the way the name was changed and the line-up became complete with Erik that has a past in Merciless and with Stipen that is perhaps best known from Dia Psalma.

What the band presents is a mix of alternative metal and stoner complete with dirty and heavy riffing that bring the songs forward. They know their way around and let clear and melodic guitar lines sweep over the heavy riffs that bring a nice touch to it all and show a melodic side of the band. Although it is a heavy sound they present it is not heavy enough and leaves Harms Way's music more to be something like Diet-Stoner rather than the dirty Kyuss desert rock. I miss the real groove that never comes out in a way that I would like but on the other hand Harms Way bring out leads and harmonies from Freddie and Erik in true Iron Maiden style that makes up for that.

Dim has a relaxed way of singing with a clear and light voice that suits the music and gives a nice sound to Harms Way's music. With the slower songs you not seldom get a Kyuss vibe while with the faster tracks a comparison with Mustasch is more accurate since then there is more of a metal and rock 'n' roll feel to it. Oxytocin is suffering from repetitive riffing and it lacks a bit in variety and after listing to a couple of tracks it feels like it is enough and listening to rest of the album doesn't really add anything. Good in small doses but tiring and monotonous with just too much of it all.

Production	Vocals	Compositions
6	5	4

Summary
4,5 chalices of 10 - Thomas