Death of Don Valley starts off with high energy from the opening track “Burn for Murder” and keeps an almost punk groove edge through to the third track “Burden”. This portion of the album had a first night off of the weekend vibe, like when the excitement is real and there’s days ahead to do whatever you’d like. The beginning brought to mind bands like Nebula or Mondo Generator, but different because Ivy Gardens is not from the desert, but from vast and frozen Canada, eh.

Into the middle section of the album “Guiding Hand” has vocals reminiscent of the band Sleep, and I was really digging it! Although the vocals weren’t overly complicated, and at times even quite monotone sounding, it always perfectly suited the song. I was a big fan of the vocals and the diversity from the screams earlier in the album to the heavy vocals mid album, and also what came later on, just like the band name suggests Ivy can flourish in any circumstance, and that was vocally proven here.

Upon my initial listen to the album “Frozen Limbs” was the first track to really stand out to me with the dissonant guitar and keyboard harmony, a track that’s definitely playlist worthy.

The next track is an instrumental called Gearth, what a great track name, and I really dug how it was a jam that went into “Astray” to bring us into the last section of the album.

The track “Bliss” was the first time I actually noticed bass playing on the album. I’m not totally clear whether it was bass or the keyboard sounding like a bass, but either way I enjoyed it. This track also made me realize how deceptively progressive this album is. At first I thought it was going to be a slow groovy stoner rock album, but then I came to realize that although it does have elements of that, it has a lot more as well. “Bliss” sealed the deal for me and became my favourite track, just listen to the way the riffs evolve through the song and you’ll hear what I mean.

The album artwork was done in an interesting way that upon first glance seems to be a river or a valley. But once you spend a moment looking at this cool 70s style art you realize it’s actually a skeleton.

Throughout the album Joe Zandwyk’s drums almost dance like swirls of sand through the desert. Sebastian Hogg’s keyboard adds a great layer on top of Andrew Blackborow’s guitar playing. While no one particular instrument claims the spotlight, the instruments all have the freedom to claim their own space in the gritty depth that is Ivy Gardens and Death of Don Valley.

They’re also touring across Canada this fall, be sure to have a look at their social media to know when and where to see them.