English rockers Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats have returned with a concept album for the modern age. Of a world wiped of memories and personality. Where the zombified humans are glued to their screens. Receiving information fed to them, but forever dragging their feet through a dystopian world. (Sound vaguely familiar?) Having just recently discovered these guys through another psychedelic band I listen to with a similar distorted, recorded on old tape sound, this was a pretty interesting album to follow 2015’s The Night Creeper.

Although only eight tracks long, and less than an hour in length, it is a very strong album at its core. Opening with the haunting “I See Through You”, setting the scene for this hazy hellscape. Sweeping into the single “Shockwave City”, one of my favorites from the album. “No Return” brings an almost doom edge to the psychedelic sounds of the album. Heavy like the footfalls of the blank-minded masses in the dark, almost 1984-inspired world of the album.

Some songs like the title track “Wasteland” skirt the edges of an almost Black Sabbath sound. The mood carried from it through the final two tracks “Bedouin” and “Exodus” respectfully. The latter featuring perhaps the cleanest vocals on the whole album.

Wasteland is deserving of a listen, and a spot in your collection. A cautionary tale of the worst sides of humanity, while strangely offering some form of hope for the future. With the stripped down production, the band has nowhere to hide, and prove themselves true craftsmen.

Rating: 9/10

Tracklist:

1. I See Through You (5:53)
2. Shockwave City (4:08)
3. No Return (9:06)
4. Blood Runner (4:09)
5. Stranger Tonight (4:02)
6. Wasteland (8:02)
7. Bedouin (5:44)
8. Exodus (6:59)

Label: Rise Above Records
Release Date: October 12, 2018
Website: https://www.uncleacidband.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncleacid/