ACRIMONY ARE the antidote to the current crop of Yank psycho rockers. While Marilyn Manson and his (un)merry men indulge in all manner of theatrical exorcisms in the name of soul-baring, Welsh blokes Acrimony simply chomp their way through vast fields of exotic mushrooms, get down with their dog-eared '70s vinyl (Sabbath, Blue Cheer, early Hawkwind) and quaff their way through vats of cheap cider by way of therapy. In rare moments of lucidity, Acrimony also happen to write righteous slabs of stone-aged hard rock.

'Tumuli Shroomaroom' is the quintet's second full album, and, in terms of sheer heaviness, it's one of the highlights of the year so far. The musical equivalent of a charging mammoth, '...Shroomaroom' is full of rolling stoned concepts, elephantine riffs and soulful vocal wails. While you presumably have to be out-of-yer-gourd to fully grapple with the ridiculous sleevenotes that proclaim that 'Only three Whalephants remain in the Universe' and other such gibberish, there's no arguing with the sludge-heavy groove orgy that Acrimony serve up.

'Hymns To The Stone' is a lummox-rocking opener. `Million Year Summer' is a twisted riff wig-out with Eastern tendencies. The highlight of the nine tracks on offer, however, is the epic `Heavy Feather' which boasts more twists 'n' turns than Spaghetti Junction and some fine guitar duelling from Stu O'Hara and Lee Davies. Album closer `Firedance' wraps up the entire affair with what sounds like some Eastern bell drums, some mystical chanting and the kind of vibe that Sabbath in their heyday would've been proud of. It ends with some space-o-phonic squeaks, feedback and what sounds like someone noodling on a didgeridoo. Glorious.

Proudly unhip, `...Shroomaroom' is a huge collection of high times, low frequencies and blissful bludgeon not heard since the demise of the mighty Kyuss. Proof that in Acrimony's case, groove is in the heart.

PHIL ALEXANDER (Kerrang May 17th 1997)

FORMED: 1992, in deepest Wales.
PREVIOUS LPS: 'Hymns To The Stone' (1994).
BIGGEST HIT: none.
CURRENT LINE-UP: Dorian Walters (vocals), Stu 0'Hara (gultar), Lee Davies (guitar), Mead (bass), Darren Ivey (drums).
STUDIO VIBE: Smoky, naturally.
COVER ARTWORK FOR LP: A drawing of an alien squatting down on cushions, wlth a glowing forehead and flames coming out of His wrists. Highly symbolic.
SUBJECT MATTER FOR LP: Mushrooms, psychedella and, um, the Mother Of All Slugs.
NEXT MOVE: Acrimony will be tourlng this summer.