Night Letters

• Artist: Hidden Hand/Wooly Mammoth
• Rating:
• Release Date: June 29, 2004
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

Curiously, the Hidden Hand's second release (following a very robust eponymous debut in 2003) is a split EP with label mates Wooly Mammoth; but even more surprising is the fact that the Maryland-based trio's two submissions do not contain lead vocals from renowned bandleader and underground metal legend Wino! Still, other than making a point about the Hidden Hand being a "band" in the truest sense, this small detail has little influence on the musical outcome, as both the solid "Five Points" (sung by bassist Bruce Falkinburg) and the instrumental "Welcome to Sunshine" (where at least Wino's legendary guitar playing is found stage front) carry on quite nicely in the Hidden Hand's pre-established, post-doom style. Moving on to the flip side, one is acquainted with the quite capable Wooly Mammoth, whose somewhat muddy retro-rock sound appears to be intentionally part of the package. All fine and good, since, although they hardly light the stoner rock universe on fire with energetically driving first offering "The Prophet," Wooly Mammoth will probably raise many an approving eyebrow with the mastodon-sized riffing (pun intended) heard on submission number two, "Mastercut and Charisma." [Also included in this release is Meteor City's 2004 sampler, giving fans an excellent eyeful of their hard-rocking roster.] ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Five Points		The Hidden Hand, Wooly Mammoth	(4:23)
Welcome to Sunshine		The Hidden Hand, Wooly Mammoth	(4:07)
The Prophet		The Hidden Hand, Wooly Mammoth	(5:22)
Mastercut and Christmas		The Hidden Hand, Wooly Mammoth	(4:09)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Dark Chi [*][Demo Version]	The Atomic Bitchwax	The Atomic Bitchwax	(4:58)
Brother Blues [*]		The Obsessed	(3:25)
Sleep [*]		Meatjack	(2:56)
Reaching Out [*]		Orquesta del Desierto	(3:07)
Goddamn the Sun [Rough Mix][*]		The Ribeye Brothers	(3:06)
Thanks Anyway [*]			(2:32)
Throwback [Rough Mix][*]		Spiritu	(4:14)
For Evan's Sake [*]		Weedeater	(7:46)
Dogma [Demo '99][*]		Yob	(5:56)

Credits

Bruce Falkinburg (Vocals), Bruce Falkinburg (Group Member), Wooly Mammoth (Performer), Bruce Falkinburg (Bass), Ben Werth (Cover Photo), Zac Eller (Guitar), Phil Adler (Percussion), Phil Adler (Group Member), Yob (Performer), Zac Eller (Vocals), Phil Adler (Drums), Zac Eller (Group Member)