This CD is about as traditional stoner rock as it gets. First up is Asteroid. This power trio has a more retro feel to their Kyuss-inspired riffs. Singer/guitarist Robin Hirse�s delivery is reminiscent of Klaus Maine, and it gives these guys distinction. When the band really hits its stride, as on the last two tracks, Asteroid creates some plenty righteous stoner rock.

If Asteroid mines the �70s for inspiration, Blowback opts for a heavier, more swaggering sound. �Holy Skies� ought to be the theme song for some twisted yet charismatic shaman, one that preaches prophecy and doom while handing out Peyote buttons. It�s just that cool. �Invisible Touch,� their finale is an acoustic, guitar-only instrumental that verges on the Zeppelin. After the near-impenetrable wall of fuzz of the previous 11 songs, it�s an excellent coda. The Asteroid/Blowback split is a winner.

Asteroid are first delivering their fuzzed out heavy rock mixed up with 70's Swedish prog influences. Robin Hirse displays some very mellow and hazy guitar playing at times and it's during these moments this band feels the best to me. Taking care of the second part of this split are Blowback, who in my opinion released last year's best demo. They return with a slightly altered approach to their Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and November influenced stonerrock. They are harder, fuzzier and singer Stefan sounds like in heavy need of a Prozac-sandwich. The desperation in this man�s voice sends shivers up my spine and fits this kind of music perfectly. Very cool to hear that he has started to explore the depths of his voice and mind, adding some very memorable moments to this recording. The melodies, nerve and tight delivery this band lays down leaves no one unmoved. I've seen them without problems holding their own playing with bands like Generous Maria, Stonewall Noise Orchestra and Firestone.

Although being classified as stonerrock seems to be taboo nowadays, Asteroid could quite possibly change some opinions. They have mastered both the slow, spacey, and somewhat plodding rhythms along with mid tempo desert-esque style we are familiar with in this genre. Usually, they do so within the same song. As such there really isn't any point where you get bored, as the songs seem to evolve naturally.

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