Deserts of Mars – Dead Planet Exodus

Another self-released album. 2024 has been possibly the best year for self-released albums I can think of, and that’s a good thing. Record labels have their benefits, I know I worked for a few back in the day.

Austin, TX based, the band are in the indie rock museum crossroads of the universe. Some other music obsessed towns may dispute that claim. Spend some time in Austin, then get back to me.

About the music, because that’s what matters. Deserts of Mars so far have put out an E.P., Return from the Void (2019) and a full length, Transmission (2011). Their new album, a 10 song set fuses a cosmic array of rock styles. A serious set of rock jams.

The second track, “Temple of Rain” is the stand-out song. It’s all things heavy rock. It’s ripe for your streaming playlist, road trip sing a long, or if you’re old school cassette mix tape. It’s a straight up rocker.

“Darkness”, the fifth song is another banger. A rollicking classic slab of hard rock. Feels a bit over-produced. I’d like to hear this song live. I get the sense the electro-wizardry of digital recording and editing have smoothed out the mean edges of this mean mother.

The next track “Midnight Comes” is straight up psychedelic grunge. Reminds me of lesser-known groups from the Pacific Northwest, Green River or Screaming Trees, infused with 80s hair metal moments.

“Crimson Mountain” is the second to last song. The first listen, this one stood out. The more I hear it, I’m beginning to favor other songs on the album. It’s still a solid heavy rocker. Maybe the positioning of the celestial bodies influences the mood on this one.

After all, the album’s theme is entrenched in outer space, sci-fi exploration across the music galaxies, endlessly resonating through space/time. What more could you want in a band?

In all, it’s a solid album. One worth adding to your rotation, hand picking a few tracks for your various playlists. Very interested to hear more from these space rockers.

I must be a rebel, it’s rare I like the radio single tracks. On “Dead Planet Exodus”, same situation. The two radio recommendations were good, just not the standout songs on the album.

The group’s biography offers a peak into the album’s origins: “Dead Planet Exodus is a concept album years in the making. It combines the classic Mars Metal sound with an all-new tale of sci-fi terror, action, and hope, befitting the past few years of struggle and perseverance. From the Mars Base to the airwaves, we want you to join us on this journey into the unknown and beyond.”

Heady stuff. The album wins points for technical musicianship. It loses points for sounding constrained, over produced. I’d love to hear this set of songs record, mixed and mastered all analog. http://desertsofmars.com