PLAINDRIFTER
"Gestalt" (Ripple; 2026)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
I don't know how to describe Plaindrifter and their "Gestalt" album without sounding like I'm repeating myself from other reviews. So I'll just go ahead and repeat myself.
With fuzzed out guitars, ethereal rhythms and a mysterious yet engaging beat, the tunes on "Gestalt" trudge along like dinosaur steps, taking their own time, delivering earthshakingly heavy columns of pulverizing sound, and occasionally floating off into space, like a soul released from a body and beginning its journey to the heavens. It's a little Pink Floyd meets Black Sabbath meets ... well, meets Plaindrifter.
For the most part, the six tunes here are of epic lengths. With the exception of the appropriately-entitled "Respite," the shortest track here runs just under seven minutes. That isn't so the band can pack the track with mundane filler, it's because that's how the songs are meant to be played. And Plaindrifter make no apologies for letting the music simmer and boil. If it's not fast enough for you, go pick up an Annihilator album.
My favorite track here is the nearly-ten-minute closer, "Debaser," with its rolling bass and guitar, its tumbling drums and its sparse but essential vocals. It's the perfect way to end the album, a track that's a good one to go out on or to get you reaching for that Replay button for another listen.
For more information, check out https://www.facebook.com/plaindrifter/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
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Copyright © 2026 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
