Mystery Dudes - Exit Through the Wormhole (Review)

“Mystery Dudes” - a name as mysterious and hysterical as that surely generated enough curiosity in me to pick it up from the promo this week. Furthermore, a bright album art like that made me remind of Judas Priest’s “Screaming For Vengeance”. I was convinced enough the record had surprises stored in for me!

Hailing from the far-out corners of Norway’s wasteland, the band made Oslo their home base. Mystery Dudes blends their musicality with their vivid imaginations and visual imageries thoroughly. Circulating all kinds of psychedelic, progressive, and punked-out music, “Exit Through the Wormhole” is a spaced-out stoner punk odyssey through a variety of themes and soundscapes. The band quotes - “imagine a place with ghost trains, nebulas, evil blood, and eyeballin’ witches”.

The band leaves no stone unturned in bringing back the classic sound of 60s rock, punk, and heavy metal. Along with that, the authenticity of the recording is exemplary - energetic, upbeat, and experimenting with various facets throughout the record. As the title itself goes, the album opener “Mountains of Chill” is a ‘chill’ refreshing track with heavy metal vibe and groovy rhythms. Tracks like “Evil Dead” and “Witch’s Stare” are doomy with spooky tunes, and eerie lead guitar parts, much reminiscent of Black Sabbath. Even the vocal phrasings seem to be leaving Ozzy’s footprints on the tracks.

“Ghost Train” is rather uncanny with its dissonant passages and odd selection of notes. The guitar tone has some added noise, which certainly adds a harsh quality to it, but also serves in building momentum and aiding dynamics and energy. Talking of psychedelia, “Punk” and “Mexican Stand Up” might be the best-suiting. The band does not shy away to play around with rhythms and experimenting with their sound. Both radiate an aura of juvenile energy and in general are fun tracks to listen to. However, “Nebula” might steal the title for being the favorite track off the album - an emotion-driven song with meticulous use of beautiful chords. The choice to keep it an instrumental track comes off as wise for me. Also, how melodious is that guitar solo!

I hope my above descriptions give an insight into how much I love this record at this moment. Surely, Mystery Dudes suck you into their musical wormhole instantly, and the only moment you are leaving it is at the end of the album.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Website: https://www.facebook.com/mysterydudes

Genre: Heavy Metal, Stoner Punk

Label: Electric Valley Records

Worldwide Release: June 24th, 2022.