Argus-s/t

Shadow Kingdom
2009


Pennsylvania’s Argus might well get put into the doom metal category due to the thick riffs and the oftentimes deliberate pacing. However, their influences are more varied than some bands. It’s obvious that along with Sabbath, Candlemass, Trouble that they also took in their share of Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy and Metallica. They frequently travel around the mid-paced level as they build the songs like large walls around them. The mood is often serious and to the point as they waste little time in laying down a heavy foundation. They remind some of Pale Divine only more active. The aspect about Argus that impressed me the most was their desire to attack right away and let you know what they are going to do. They have a sinister edge to their sound and they use it to their advantage. Vocalist Butch Balich has a powerful and steady voice that blends together very nicely with the music. Argus have taken some classic style doom and metal but added their own galloping approach to it. The only downside was that a few songs were fairly similar in their sound. Still I liked this disc right from the start and I am sure it will continue to grow on me.

www.myspace.com/theargus