2012
Bloody Hammer's self-titled debut album was released at the tail end of last November (2012), but it's been on my mind as of late and in this weeks play-list so I thought I'd throw it out there. Consider this to be part review/part recommendation. That's getting ahead of myself though as there is plenty of ground to cover before I talk about why you should pick this one up on the fly. This 4-piece calls Charlotte, North Carolina their home town, but you almost have to wonder if they wouldn't fit in more in a place like Salem, Massachusetts or Aston, Birmingham (the birthplace of Black Sabbath). Still a young band (they were formed in 2012) this 10-track self-titled album does show a band still trying to find it's proper footing. Even so there is a lot to be said (and a lot to appreciate) about their classic goth rock /hard rock/doom metal sound. Sure, the Black Sabbath vibe is crystal clear and all, but these three guys/one gal also seem to appreciate everyone from Alice Cooper to The Sword. The grooves are heavy even if the emotion isn't all there yet. Can you have doom metal that seems a bit too relaxed? It sort of seems that way with Bloody Hammers every now and then. It's just the right thing to say as these four do seem to lack a little passion on these 10-tracks. The thing is Bloody Hammers are really enjoyable all the same as this has a musty charm all it's own. "Witch of Endor" is somewhat doom metal and somewhat stoner rock. It exists in a world between. "The Witching Hour" conjures up images of ghouls and goblins from a childhood I thought I had long ago buried. "Black Magic" meanwhile conjured up images of Pentagram and a heavier Witchfinder General. "Souls on Fire" is more appealing then it has any right to be, but shows the addictive quality that a simple hook can have on a person. A little more dread would go a long way for Bloody Hammers though. "Beyond the Door" tries hard to offer up scares, but just like a hastily-assembled carnival haunted house it's more hype then horror. The same thing goes for "Fear No Evil". It's about as creepy as a dollar store Halloween mask. It's as if Bloody Hammers knows they can write really good, dreary goth/doom rock but haven't figured out yet how to put all the pieces together. Part of this album is Dario Argento while the other part is Goosebumps the TV series. Once they are able to construct an album that is more consistent then Bloody Hammers will be a beast of nightmares proportions. Meanwhile I'd still suggest picking up this 10-track LP as it's a groove heavy slab of Alice Cooper-like horror that's perfect for your next late-night, boys and ghouls gathering. It's a easy listen and would fit in perfectly as background noise for those who like long walks by the light of a werewolf's full moon.
http://bloodyhammers.bandcamp.com/
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