Greenleaf: Rise Above The Meadow

Swedish stoner rockers get stuck in second gear

Rise AboveThe Meadow

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Originally a side-project for Swedish stoners Dozer, Greenleaf have been going since 1999, and Rise Above The Meadow is their sixth album – not bad for a band never intended as a full-time enterprise.

Original frontman Oskar Cedermalm (also of Truckfighters) has been replaced by little-known Arvid Johnsson. The difference is noticeable, and Arvid is an improvement, lending the lyrics a smoky sense of authority that smacks of Chris Cornell. But despite their credentials and the recent big stage exposure supporting Clutch, Greenleaf aren’t more than the sum of their parts.

While Rise… is an exemplary piece of modern-day stoner rock, it’s neither hard-hitting nor unique.

Catchy tunes like A Million Fireflies save Greenleaf from melting into the nondescript stoner bucket, but is it enough to matter? They’re probably too cool to care.

Holly Wright

With over 10 years’ experience writing for Metal Hammer and Prog, Holly has reviewed and interviewed a wealth of progressively-inclined noise mongers from around the world. A fearless voyager to the far sides of metal Holly loves nothing more than to check out London’s gig scene, from power to folk and a lot in between. When she’s not rocking out Holly enjoys being a mum to her daughter Violet and working as a high-flying marketer in the Big Smoke.