ALBUM REVIEW: G.o.L.e.M. - Maes Eternal Lake of Gardenias
“The band brings the goods with their latest release, and will have you diving head first into Maes Eternal Lake of Gardenias without a life jacket.”
From the first notes of this album, G.o.L.e.M. makes you aware of what they’re all about. This album would please heavy music fans as much as it would those who are into psychedelia. If you are into that kind of thing, you’re in luck. The band brings the goods with their latest release, and will have you diving head first into Maes Eternal Lake of Gardenias without a life jacket.
The album starts off with the leading single, a track called “Dragon” and the early sounds are ferocious – perhaps you wouldn’t dare try to save the princess (or prince) if you were the knight up against that beast. It settles into a catchy, fast-paced song with a psych feel that goes into some serious stoner metal territory. It’s a certified bop that is a great introduction to the rest of the album.
The next track called “Ares” stays in a similar space, while bringing in a grunge feel to the mix. It’s a welcome addition, as it allows the music to stretch out a bit after the opening barnburner, while maintaining the same intensity. It builds to a beautifully frightening climax with big synth lines. The next track “Akrasia” almost combines the vibe of tracks one and two, adding in a new element of syncopated rhythms. Things continue to evolve with “Gladiator,” now incorporating some odd time signature madness at the start of the track, however, a reprieve comes in the middle of the track, suddenly taking a light and floating turn to a major key with a melody on the keys almost fitting of a Nintendo epic.
When the almost seven-minute-long track “Omega” comes, it provides no reprieve from the madness that has ensued thus far, however it does return to a more straightforward feel, and there’s not a single complaint here. Just when you think there are no more surprises, there’s a harmonica that comes into play. While harmonica has played a part in this style of music, maybe most notably with Black Sabbath’s “The Wizard,” that’s where the comparisons end as this is its own animal entirely.
Next is track, “Kykeon,” which dials things back in favor of spacing things out, of course while still embodied in fuzz. The vocal melody and big lead guitar are equally catchy, when another twist comes in the form of a shimmering synth. This track has the widest appeal, which makes sense why it was one of the singles, but it also fits into the album like a glove.
“Tanzerouft,” keeps things in the realm of the previous track, before a short interlude occurs in the way of “Fading Mist,” a 47-second instrumental that segues right into “Scarab” and then “Legs.” This part of the album feels more laid back from a song writing sense, which is a departure from earlier in the album. It works well, but thinking of it in a side A/B format, it works especially well. Things end with an eight minute and 44 second epic in “Castle Walk.”
G.o.L.e.M. really managed to make a unique and interesting album that really feels filler-less – with all of the songs fitting so well amongst each other, while also shining in their own rights. With no shortage of fuzz or psych sensibilities, they also never settle on any one defining approach, while still maintaining their sound.
Maes Eternal Lake of Gardenias is available on all major platforms Friday, October 3rd, 2025.