Band:	Bongzilla
Album:	Dab City
Style:	Sludge metal, Stoner metal
Release date:	June 02, 2023
A review by:	omne metallum

01. Dab City
02. King Of Weed
03. Cannonbongs (The Ballad Of Burnt Reynolds As Lamented By Gentleman Dixie Dave Collins)
04. C.A.R.T.S
05. Hippie Stick
06. Diamonds And Flower
07. American Pot

Hot in the city.

Perhaps one of the finest purveyors of music dedicated to the sweet leaf, Bongzilla have been there and smoked that when it comes to sludgy odes to left-handed cigarettes. While not the most prolific producers of albums (gee, I wonder why), they make sure they pack the few they put out with quality rather than quantity, to which their sixth effort, Dab City, is no exception. While not the strongest strain when you leaf through their discography, it is one worth dragging out and mellowing out to regularly... marijuana.

Since reuniting in 2015, Bongzilla have shown why they should be considered a going concern, rather than just an act living off of past glories. While Weedsconsin was their weakest effort to date, it wasn't the burnt stem some fans th(c)ought it to be. Dab City is a step up from this prior release, one that will have you nodding along and out to, though one that might not live as rent-free in your brain as the likes of Greenthumb does. 

The slow, low drone that is trademark Bongzilla is ever present, mixing stoner rhythms with doom passages; Dab City doesn't reinvent the bong, but it will work its way into your brain all the same. Makela's harsh tones rip through some solid, sludgy guitar work such as on "King Of Weed", while Henry's exuberant drumming ensures the minimalist passages keep an element of power and dimension to them a la "Dab City" and the simply titled "Cannonbongs (The Ballad Of Burnt Reynolds As Lamented By Gentleman Dixie Dave Collins)" ...try saying that after taking a hit (for fans of trivia, "Dixie Dave Collins" is frontman of fellow stoners Weedeater). Perhaps the most concise package on the album is "Hippie Stick", the standout track on the album thanks to its laid-back yet hypnotic groove being instantly addictive.

Dab City finds the sweet spot sonically between retaining the lo-fi, retro vibes of stoner metal, with the high crash cymbals of "American Pot" chiming above the droning riffs giving off a strong Black Sabbath vibe, and not sacrificing audio quality, sounding fresh and vibrant throughout.

Where Bongzilla have struggled since their reunion, and still do struggle with on Dab City is that a lot of the album isn't as memorable as prior releases, with a lot of riffs and passages not up to the standards set by their earlier releases; they are a victim of their own success. While "Diamonds And Flower" isn't a bad track, it is rather pedestrian by the high standards the band has set for themselves before; emblematic of the issue facing them. The band needs to find more inspiration during songwriting sessions...or possibly smoke less of it.

All bong, no brain? No, the song remains insane.