Datura Lodge – Datura Lodge
Datura Lodge – Datura Lodge
Arquen Records
Release Date: 02/10/2026
Review by Beth Morait
10/10
This year, two New Jersey musicians decided to form a band, playing Prog Rock. I’m just going to say that again – THIS YEAR. Keep that in mind, because here I am, a mere 10 months into the year, reviewing their self-titled debut and I’ve got to be honest straight away… It’s one of the most accomplished Prog albums I’ve heard in a while! To the point of me being unable to award it anything less than a perfect 10 by halfway through the second track. So, who are they, what do they sound like, and why am I so blown away that this has been possible in such a short time? Let’s unpick it and find out.
Doing a bit of background research on the Duo, I have discovered that they are Nicky B on bass and vocals, and “W” on guitar and vocals. For the studio recording, they’re joined by Russell Holzman on Drums.
This album is essentially a perfect balance of everything I love in music, and melds the last 50 years of sound techniques into one neat package. It kicks off with ‘Mummy’, which is a sumptuous Pink Floyd-style opener, with awesome solos, and a really catchy melody. That drops into ‘Stone’ which is like if Floyd and Radiohead teamed up in the early 90s to write a massive Progressive track, with Radiohead grunge-sounding guitars. I would say, outside of the Progressive nature, the 90s is the era that comes through the most on the album, but then a bar, or even the tone of a single note will pop up and make me think of the Woodstock generation, or The Smiths, or Queen, and even Motörhead. It’s very clever writing for sure.
Vocally, whoever takes the lead out of the duo (not sure if it’s Nicky or W) has an amazingly pure tone, and an extremely good range. It fits perfectly with the intricate melodies and instrumentation behind it.
Musically, these two guys are at the top of their game too. Everything is precise, complex, and exploratory. The bass lines are wandering, never sticking in the same place for more than a couple of notes. The guitar solos are indulgent and exceptionally proficient. And everything has its correct place in every tune, never overcooked or under-egged. That makes this album one of the easiest Prog albums to digest that I’ve come across, because it is Progressive in its intricacy, but you don’t need a degree in philosophy to unpick what’s happening in your ears.
‘Lodge’, the album’s final track, contains some of the best guitar and bass work I’ve heard in a long while, and it’s my stand out track of the album (if I had to pick just one, because they’re all unbelievably good). A proper overture finale, that makes me want so much more.
This is an album that I’m going to play many, many times over. I can tell that already. Hats off to you chaps, as a debut, it’s a phenomenal achievement. Please feed me more of your Progressive wonderdrug, because I’m hooked already.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Mummy
02. Stone
03. 98 and 94
04. Them
05. Floor
06. Can
07. Hole
08. Beam
09. Lodge
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