It feels like it’s going to be forever before daylight is back in abundance and the warmth returns, the trek through winter really just beginning. Well, whatever winter actually still exists. But when the thaw happens, and we get into the heart of spring, it feels like it’ll be the ideal time for Temptress’ music to flow freely from speakers.

Not that their second record “Hear” doesn’t sound good now, but it feels like it pines for different scenery. The spark of warmth, the later sunsets all feel like they’d work nicely with these eight tracks that bear strains of doom, stoner rock (especially the ’90s variety), and straight-up metal. Comprised of guitarist/vocalist Kelsey Wilson, bassist/vocalist Christian Wright, and drummer/vocalist Andi Cuba, the band digs into sounds that feel like they could find slots in many different areas over the past several decades but also land just fine now. It’s a fun record, one where it feels like they’re still kind of finding themselves as they examine multiple levels of heaviness.

“Into” is an instrumental opener, drums tapping as guitars echo, sounds swimming, the moody thickening and shifting, driving into “Narrows” that opens with the bass taking hold. The playing is dusty before landing blows, Wright on vocals, adding energy to the mix. Guitars char as the sounds smoke, the cry of, “I’m going to be fine,” pushing to a trudging end. “Edge” flutters in heat, and I’ll be honest, I don’t know if this is Wilson or Cuba singing, which will carry over to the rest of the album. Guitars plot the path as the signing glazes, the call of, “I want to take you to the edge,” lingering. “These Walls” has guitars firing up, the pace snaking, a ’90s rock feel taking over the aura. The playing mashes as the emotion floods, everything ending in burly undertones.

“Now or Never” has guitars slinking and speak-singing, the cry of, “Who’s laughing now? Because it’s not me,” digging into ribs. Spacious soloing overwhelms as the cloud coverage increases, blasting into oblivion. “Be Still” starts cleaner, the verses landing lightly before the choruses flood over. The playing smolders before going colder, guitars giving off echo, everything slowly fading into time. “Downfall” gently dawns, the singing bringing a thaw, the playing then chugging and sparking darker energies. Sinister riffs cut through bone, as the doom thickens, everything blackening overhead as the demand, “Sacrifice yourself to me,” haunts. Closer “Out of” completes the instrumental bookend, a dusky sense overtaking as the drums rouse, the bass lands some punches, and the vibe glistens into sunset.

Temptress have that strange ability to feel both modern and timeless, having stretched various sounds from past decades into today’s mind-frame. “Hear” is a strong second effort from this band that, while they have taken a lot of steps forward, still have plenty of room to develop. That’s not a slight; it’s a good thing. They have the ability and energy to keep growing Temptress to something we cannot imagine today.

For more on the band, go here: https://temptressofficial.bandcamp.com/

To buy the album, go here: https://temptressofficial.bandcamp.com/album/hear

For more on the label go here: https://www.bluesfuneral.com/