The Death Wheelers – Ecstasy of Möld
The Death Wheelers – Ecstasy of Möld
RidingEasy Records
Release date: 07/03/2025
Review by Alun Jones
8.75/10
Mold is a small, quaint market town in the north east region of Wales. Typical of settlements in this Celtic country, it has roots going back may hundreds of years. Nowadays, there are numerous good pubs and restaurants and a really good record shop (among many other businesses). Though why The Death Wheelers decided to write an album dedicated to the town, I have no idea… Mold is, however, only the English name – in Welsh it is Yr Wyddgrug, which sounds much more Metal.
“Ecstasy of Möld” is a new album by The Death Wheelers, their fourth for RidingEasy Records. They originate from Quebec, and if you’re not familiar with the band, they create hard rockin’ instrumentals that sound like a soundtrack for a long-lost, scuzzy grindhouse flick about zombie bikers.
Following the short first track ‘Loud Pipes Take Lives’, which sets out the style template succinctly, we have ‘Homicycle Maniacs’. It’s a full-on, throttle-revving gas guzzler not a million miles away from Motorhead or even Entombed. Other tracks such as ‘Hella Hammered’ and ‘Blood, Bikes and Barbiturates’ are variations on the same inspirations, interjected with samples from obscure motorcycle exploitation movies.
It’s all very cool, and the instrumental nature of the songs adds a whole different layer of gonzoid escapism. Some different avenues are explored at points, such as the title track’s outro which shimmers with a surf guitar sound. ‘The Heretic Rites of Count Choppula’ slows to rumbling Doom Metal, and the last song ‘Get Laid… To Rest’ ends on a more sombre, mellow note.
With Ecstasy of Möld, The Death Wheelers have delivered an album that roars along the highway and easily retains the listener’s attention, vocals be damned. ‘Cos let’s be honest, the singer is always the least important member of any band. This album has a sleazy charm and plenty of fuel in the tank, I suggest you take it for a spin.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Loud Pipes Take Lives
02. Homicycle Maniacs
03. Hella Hammered
04. Un Pneu Dans Le Tombre – Aide Musicale À Mourir
05. The Ecstasy of Möld
06. Blood, Bikes and Barbiturates
07. Bleu Nuit (Les Plaisirs De La Chair)
08. Way of the Road
09. The Heretic Rites of Count Choppula
10. Get Laid… To Rest
LINKS:
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