Review SLOPE ‘Freak Dreams’

Slope is an interesting band, hailing from Duisburg, Germany. Two EP’s, released between 2014 and 2017, paved the way for the band’s debut album. ‘Street Heat’ was unleashed in 2021 and in February 2024 the sophomore release ‘Freak Dreams’ has its official release.

A glimpse on the label info sheet describes the sound of Slope as crossover, inspired by bands like Stuck Mojo, Living Color and Suicidal Tendencies. Now, the inspiration for Slope can be found in the 90s crossover scene but when listening to the album, there were other bands that came to my mind. Dog Eat Dog, Rage Against The Machine and some funky roots from 24-7 Spyz, but also the groove of German crossover veterans H-Blockx is what is embedded in the sound of the five-piece.

‘Freak Dreams’ features twelve songs and what reaches your ears is groovy music with ‘Talk Big’ being the starting point. The album begins with a song that spreads a certain ease before the heavier riff take over with the start of ‘It’s Tickin’’. The song contains a bit of a Suicidal-vibe but also has enough of an own identity that also gets its inspiration from East coast crossover bands from the 90s and only the fact of the song fading out at the end is a bit of a downer. However, the grooving bass that opens ‘Chasing Highs’ briungs back the energy.

Furthermore, there is the wicked and raging ‘Hectic Life’ while it is ‘’True Blue’ that comes with a funky approach. The second half of the tracklist features good stuff too but is also a bit less exciting if being compared the first songs on ‘Freak Dreams’. Still there are songs like the pumping ‘Ain’t Easy’ that remind of the good times in the 90s.

‘Freak Dreams’ is an album that is entertaining and if one liked the crossover sound of the 90s, Slope is a band that one should have on the list.