Corrosion of conformity-No cross no crown

Nuclear Blast
2018

 This is the bands first album with vocalist Pepper Keenan since 2005's In the Arms of God and the first to feature this band lineup in nearly 18 years. Right away it's like they are right back where they were during the decade plus that Keenan was singing for the band. There's plenty of distorted riffs flowing while rhythms pound along behind them. Frequently they aren't afraid to reach back and pull 70's inspired hooks to propel the songs forward. The production stays just dull and fuzzy enough to really help the sound retain the sound that they are obviously aiming for. I have to admit that I got into this band in their crossover days in the 80's and loved them then. I have certainly embraced everything they have done since changing their musical style which started with 1991's Blind. However this albums was better than most from their stoner/doom days. I think that helped it the most is that there is a great variety of pace and styles on these tracks than on a number of their other albums. Fans of the band will likely be into this one for sure.

Conan-Man is myth

Napalm
2017

If you listen you likely know this band, but possibly not these songs. That's because this one of those "early days" collections. In this case it's seven demos recorded between 2006 and 2012 which is when their debut album came out. Demo collections aren't going to be for everyone. Whether or not you check it out probably depends on how much like the given band. To be honest given my limited listening time I don't always give time to every demo collection that gets released. For this band and this style I wanted to give it a listen because this kind of sludge is a genre that I think might be cool in raw versions. Was I correct in this? Partly the older tracks certainly see the band establishing parts of the style they are known for but they aren't perhaps songs I would listen to over and over. The songs from 2012 are the strongest entries on this collections as we get offered more of what we know this band for. There's some messy parts, but there's also enough thick sludge to make up for any shortcomings. At the very this album will serve to fill in the gap a little bit while fans for the next studio albums which is supposed to be coming out in early 2018.

Clamfight -III

Argonauta
2018
New Jersey's Clamfight has their aptly named third studio album album III hitting shelves next month. Gone are the album covers that looked like they were drawn by a middle schooler, but they stay the course with thick and slow slabs of fuzzy heaviness. We get five tracks in all this time around. Most of the songs require some degree of patience from the listener to allow the band to plod away and get to their destination. The music itself leans towards the basic side, but the tones and the bands quest to twist those tones certainly helps their cause. They don't compromise what they are trying to do on any of these songs, but instead hope we will hand in their and ride along on this winding, snail paced trail they lay out. Overall I think each of their studio albums has been better than the one before it and III keeps that trend going. This is likely I'll revisit soon as it's definitely one that needs a few spins to really take effect.

The Obsessed-Sacred

Relapse
2017

Hailing form my home state of Maryland, The Obsessed have existed in different versions for almost forty years, but have just a few releases because their times of existence have been few and far between. The one constant has been front man/guitarist/vocalist Scott "Wino" Weinrich (Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan and more). The band is back with their first studio release in 23 years. That's enough to be excited about right and then once you get this monster started playing you will really be excited. The first thing that hits me about this album it's a clinic of how to get so much out of every chord, beat or word. Not a skill every band knows that's for sure, but this album has that at it's heart and they just add on the layers as they push along. Need examples? The opener "Sodden Jackal" is a think, lumbering song that pours out thick and pulls you in right away. "It's only money" harkens back to groove laden, head bobbers with a huge dose of the early 70's.  The instrumental "Cold Blood" is a twisting, heavy crusher that has more surprises than I figured it would.  "Be the night" might just be my favorite song with it's punching riffs and swirling beats. I do have items that bothered me about the last few songs. Third from the end "Interlude" is really just a snippet that comes and goes with out doing a whole lot except feeling it doesn't quite fit. The last two tracks go in the order of "On so long" and "Crossroader blues" and both are both exceptional. However I am a big believer in there be certain tracks that should open an album and certain ones that should close it so I keep feeling like those two tracks should have switched  places so that the hazy drifter "Oh so long" could bring a proper end to this album. Minor nitpicking aside this album is a real killer

Isenordal - Lughnasadh MMXVII

Hanged Man
2017

This is a two track demo tape from this Seattle based acoustic doom act even though they knocked out a full length effort early this year.. First up is Inevitable product of the foretold which lumbers on with a thick, rolling riff. It's accompanied by both and female vocals which frequently take over the music at times which works out in the end. The track starts out alright, but definitely becomes more interesting as it progresses. It's decent enough, but seems to end right as it starts to become interesting. Dissolution into the earth is up next (and last). This is more like it for me. I definitely feel the dark vibe in this one more and it's far heavier and quite honestly has a stronger song structure. For both tracks I listened to them with and without headphones and can say that I definitely prefer them with headphones. That doesn't always make a difference, but with this style I felt it did. Total track time is around twelve minutes so if you get a chance and like a different approach to your doom check it out.

Free Metal Monday: Wino-Live at Roadburn 2009

Roadburn Records
2015

It's Monday again and that means it's time for some free metal to (hopefully) get you through this chilly day. Or at least it's chilly in my small part of Ohio. I have no way of knowing where you are from while you are reading this, but seeing as we already had snow this past weekend (I know. Ugh!) how about we heat things up with some killer doom rock? Sound's good right? Well, how about we take things one step further with live doom? Or rather live music from Wino? Yes? Groovy! Originally released back in October of 2010 on both CD and 12" vinyl, "Live At Roadburn 2009" is now being offered digitally and this great recording finds Wino in perfect form! Not that it's too surprising or anything as we are talking about the one and only Wino here, but seeing as this one comes with a run-time of over fifty minutes(!) there is a lot to digest in just one sitting. With that said, "Live At Roadburn 2009" should get you to work and back in grand fashion and seeing as it's free for the taking you simply can't go wrong!  You can find this live release by heading here
and while you are there be sure to keep an eye out for other free music from Roadburn Records.

Misantropus-The Gnomes

O

Minotauro Records
2015

Formed by brothers Alessio (guitar) and Vincenzo (bass) Sanniti in Latina (Lazio, Italy) in early 1998, Misantropus is an environmentally-conscious doom metal band whose latest release, "The Gnomes" is dedicated to the four natural elements and to the entities that represent them. As this veteran green metal band all but specializes in classic Italian-style doom (with the legendary Paul Chain a longstanding source of inspiration) they are suitably enough now signed to Minotauro Records. And in standing with much of the group's back catalog, "The Gnomes" is a instrumental release. A HEAVY and DARK instrumental release, but a instrumental release all the same. Just so you know what you're getting into. On "The Gnomes" drum duties fell to Alessio Sanniti with guest Mario "The Black" Di Donato helping out as a second guitarist. Otherwise what you see is what you get. As for my favorite moment? That would be the last of the four numbers here, Elfs ( Raphael). It falls somewhere between Paul Chain, a stream-lined Saint Vitus and one of my all-time favorite soundtrack bands, Goblin. Without a doubt it's super effective and it had me hitting the replay button a few times over! Recommend for fans of Paul Chain, Saint Vitus and Manilla Road, "The Gnomes" is another great addition to any doom collection and another reason why I look forward to each new Minotauro Records' release! 

Conan-Blood Eagle

Napalm Records
2014

Scheduled for release at the tail end of this month "Blood Eagle" is only the second full-length for Liverpool's Conan. Having formed in 2006, before self-releasing the EP "Battle in the Swamps" at the very start of 2007, the band has a back-catalog that includes a lone demo, some splits, another EP (the well-received "Horseback Battle Hammer") and even a live album! And then of course there is the band's debut album from 2012, "Monnos". With "Blood Eagle" it's more of the same, but that's all good when you're talking about Conan and their patented brand of sludge/drone/doom metal. Slow and low, without ever giving the listener any excuse or desire to move on between tracks (as each and every one here brings about feelings of utter bliss-in a doomed and downright damned kind of way!), Conan are the very definition of the word HEAVY. As with any good power trio this lot (guitarist/vocalist Jon Davis, bassist/vocalist Phil Coumbe and drummer Paul O'Neill) makes use of the "less is more" motto while proving that they are worth their weight in gold thanks to epic (length-wise) numbers like "Crown of Talons", "Gravity Chasm" and "Altar of Grief". You can check out the sick track "Foehammer" via it's (cool) official video below and if you call yourself any sort of sludge/doom fanatic then be sure to snag "Blood Eagle" when it drops!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-of5C1OHX_8

Satan's Host-Virgin Sails

Moribund
2013

Is "Virgin Sails" really a contender for the 2013 "Album Of The Year" award? That's what the promo material for Satan's Host's latest album claims. I may a few more spins of "Virgin Sails" before I'm ready to make such a bold statement, but I will concede that the latest release from vocalist Harry Conklin (Leviathan Thisiren) is damn fine. "Virgin Sails" finds a band that still sounds remarkably focused and inventive even after some 25 years or so together. That's not always easy folks, but Satan's Host, which was first active from 1977-1988 before taking a little break and reforming in 1994, certainly make it seem so! Along with ex-Jag Panzer vocalist Harry "Tyrant" Conklin the group released their excellent full-length debut, "Metal From Hell", back in 1986 and now they present a release like "Virgin Sails" that offers even the most cynical metal fan a lot of bang for their buck! Joining Conklin is original founding member/guitarist Patrick Evil and the pair of Margar (Marcus Garcia) and Evil Little Hobbit (Anthony Lopez). They are the bassist and drummer respectively and considering the fact that there are only four musicians involved here it's even more impressive how forceful and epic a release like "Virgin Sails" sounds! When I last checked in with Satan's Host it was for their reworked classic album "Celebration: For the Love of Satan". Back then (2011) I heard a band that had come full circle from power metal to near black metal  and back to power metal. This new one comes across as somewhere in between classic U.S. power metal, traditional heavy metal and N.W.O.B.H.M with the black metal vibe being kept to a minimum. Harry keeps his black metal rasp/possession in check on "Virgin Sails" and as the band works their way from opener "Cor Malifecus-Heart of Evil" onward the music takes some surprising turns for the better. One cut I'd point out would be the cool "Dichotomy". Here we find Harry, who re-joined Satan's Host in 2010. channeling all thing Ronnie James Dio from his days in Black Sabbath and Rainbow to his days fronting his own band. Does that mean there's some doom present on this album? Sure, you can hear it intertwined between the album's grooves, but then again the playing of our main man Patrick Evil also recalls the finer points of "Ride The Lightning" era Metallica! The same kind of despair that "Fade To Black" still fills me is hidden in plain view on numerous cuts on "Virgin Sails" and it's to his credit that Patrick Evil can make you envision Metallica while you also picture the likes of Merciful Fate, Candlemass, Satan and even Danzig! If there is any downside to be found here it would have to be that while the tracks overall do show a band at their prime and playing better then ever, "Virgin Sails" features a lot of recycled ideas. At times the album starts to blur and unless you were to listen to this one a dozen plus times over it would be hard to pick out some of these cuts from other cuts. Still, it's a minor qualm and it's not enough for me to fill in the least bit disappointed with the new Satan's Host disc. It might not be the 2013 "Album Of The Year" for me, but it's still a release that should be wholeheartedly embrace by the metal community at large!  

Firelord-Among The Snakes

Self-Release/Independent
2013

With "Among The Snakes" (a remarkably accessible collection of Black Sabbath-inspired heavy "Doom 'n' roll" metal!) Italy's Firelord wins the contest for the coolest album cover of the week, hands down! Tracing their roots back to the doom metal band Saint Judas, which had previously been formed by Firelord guitarist/vocalist Mario E. Bussini, this three piece act was formed in 2007 with "Among The Snakes" being their first full-length debut. Prior to this one, which was just released a little over a week ago!, the group released "The Burning EP". Well, there is that EP hanging around in their past as well as the none-too-shocking admission that here we have another cool band that ended up with all kinds of unfortunate line-up changes. All that shuffling that was going on did pay off as thankfully we are looking at a really respectable trio of musicians here on this freshly-baked batch of stoner rock/doom metal goodness! Filling out the rank and file of Firelord is bass player Mario Pappano and drummer Giulio Buscaglione. For those keeping track at home that makes two different Marios in this Turin-based outfit! Both Mario's are equally talented as far as I am concerned with the meaty riffs on this release sounding as if they have been infused with fire and brimstone! Meanwhile our "odd man out" Giulio might not be a Mario, but he beats his drum set like a crazed tribal warrior and does a kick-ass job of keeping his fellow bandmates in check! Together these three stone cold rockers are as delightfully damning as their cover artwork suggests! With influences also including the likes of like Orange Goblin, Count Raven. Monster Magnet, Candlemass, Karma to Burn  and all things Wino (From his days fronting Saint Vitus to Wino's other adventures in stoner rock it's no secret that this Italian act is as much fans of Scott Weinrich as the rest of us are!) this is one act that can reach out to both sides of the aisle. Whether you choose to light it up or go at it clear-headed this is a splendid release and a must-buy for doom metal and stoner rock fans alike. You can check out Firelord's "Among The Snakes" right below and trust me you'll want to! In addition to their own, very cool material (which rages like King Kong on a coke binge!) these guys do serious justice to Black Sabbath's "Children Of the Grave". I'm almost tempted to say that I prefer Firelord's version to the original, but the last thing I need is a anger mob of crazed Ozzy supporters coming at me with torches and pitchforks! So, I'll just leave it to your imagination folks as to which version is better...

http://firelordoom.bandcamp.com/album/among-the-snakes

Anacondas-Sub Contra Blues

Prosthetic Records
2013

As the artwork for Anacondas' first full-length album brings about feelings of sorrow and loss in me it's only fitting that the music found within  "Sub Contra Blues" is dark and cold. "Progressive post-metal grunge sludge" is one way to look at it, but considering the wide range of influences present here (everything from the likes of Cave-In and Meshuggah to Seattle bands like Green River, Soundgarden and Alice In Chains) even that tag might not be enough to cover everything for this young, Brighton-based band and their slowly creeping album of doom, darkness, despair and dread. Still, it's a close enough description as to what awaits the listener come October 10th when this album is set to be released. But, while the band itself  might be new to the scene, having only formed back in 2010, the musicians involved here are most certainly not. It would be the demise of  the English band Johnny Truant that would lead to the fittingly-named Anacondas (as their music feels at times as if it is slowly wrapping itself around you with the intent to kill and then devour you) and the birth of "Sub Contra Blues". Both Stuart Hunter (guitars) and his brother James Hunter (bass) played in Johnny Truant, but while Johnny Truant was all about metalcore, and decent-enough metalcore at that, the brother's new act is more about slowly crushing the listener with doom-covered post-metal then killing them quickly with the fury of metallic hardcore. Joining the brothers in Anacondas is their friend Tim Newman who, in addition to playing drums, shares vocal duties with the Hunter boys. This three-pronged vocal attack really adds to the album's delightfully dizzying delivery (try to say that a couple of times fast!). And while the album does approach things in down-turned/down-tuned fashion there are still times on this release where you pick up on the groove that these three try to hide away. So yes, this power-trio might be filled with more then their fair-share of angst and yes, this album might be about as cheerful as a rain-soaked funeral, but it still knows how to spring to life when the source material calls for it. Or at least they "spring to life" sort of like the dead in any of Romero's zombie flicks! Oh, lest I forget, it's worth mentioning that the material on hand here likely came from self-recordings, as that's definitely the picture that this album's promo material paints, but that in no way seems to effect the overall feel of  "Sub Contra Blues". Part of that has to do with the fact that the band was able to get famed British producer Russ Russell (Napalm Death) to come in and master the sessions. His hands helped shape the sound of Anacondas and with this being only album number one for this power trio it's a damn fine start to what will hopefully be (if there's any justice to be found in the the heavy metal universe) a long career for this bunch.

Acacia-Tills döden skiljer oss å

Art Of Propaganda
2013

Sweden's Acacia spent 2007 to 2012 as Livsnekad (which resulted in two EPs and one full-length LP) before the name change and this, the band's "full-length" release. To be clear it does look as if the name change was only put in place as a suitable means of releasing "Tills döden skiljer oss å". Especially as this 5-track release features 4 musicians with ties to Livsnekad. Oh, and while it is only 5 tracks this release runs an hour of so. That makes it more like a full-length release. Also, while Livsnekad was more of a black metal/doom metal outfit (and a good one at that!), this is even more slow-tuned and it applies a pleasantly thick layer of depression rock. Hell, that just goes along with the depressing vibe of this 5-track release that is technically black metal, but then again is also not really black metal. Confused? Don't be. This is one of those releases that requires an open mind, but also just might end up appealing to more then just your typical (or is it atypical?) black metal fan. If slow, doom-laded, slightly blackened depressing rock sounds like a real turn on then this should be right up your alley! And yes, I did enjoy the cold blackness of this long-suffering debut release.

Primitive Man-Scorn

Relapse
2013

Who knew that Denver, Colorado was home to one the reported gateways to hell? Otherwise how am I to explain the unholy & ungodly nature of a group like Primitive Man? Formed in 2012, with "Scorn" originating as a self-release, the group features in their ranks vocalist/guitarist Ethan Lee McCarthy (Clinging To The Trees of A Forest Fire, Death of Self, Withered and Keep), bassist Jonathan Campos and drummer Isidro "Spy" Soto (Kitezh). With "Scorn" serving as their introduction to the world (and what an introduction!)the 3-piece collective known as Primitive Man combine doom, sludge and flat-out noise to deliver a release that is distorted, loud, volatile and above all heavy! One could easily imagine that "Scorn" would serve perfectly as the soundtrack to our eventually destruction as a planet, whether by the hands of some worldwide plague or by the devastating effects of a nuclear holocaust, or even as the background noise to some sick snuff film! Unleashing "music" such as "Scorn" on an unsuspecting public would no doubt bring a wicked smile to the faces of this 3-piece band which I wholeheartedly endorse! Be sure to catch hold of this re-release from Relapse when it oozes itself along towards you.

Master Charger-Unity In Black

Black Vulture Records
2013

From the looks of it "Unity In Black" was originally released at the tail end of 2011. The thing is it was apparently a self-release as well which is something to keep in mind should you ever stumbled upon a copy for sale or trade. Why keep that in mind at all you might ask? Well, up front it looks as if the band, which hails from Nottingham, England, has signed on with the Swedish record label Black Vulture simply as a means to offer greater distribution for this 10-track LP. Otherwise it wasn't like the band needed a record label in their corner when they self-released their latest LP as "Unity In Black" sounds like a professionally produced album from a band that could easily be on a major label. So, where to begin? How about back at the beginning kids? Formed in 2009, and featuring the current line-up of  J.H.P. (John Hoskison-Parkin) on lead vocals and guitars, bassist Kevin Wain and drummer John Kirk, the band issued not only their debut album, "Southbound N' Supercharged", later that same year on Alphaline Records but also the six-track album, "Live At Unit 5". A 3-track EP by the name of "Violent Wand" was released in 2010 which brings us to the present and "Unity In Black". In it's present setting, which may or may not be somewhat mind-altering, "Unity In Black" opens with "Super Death Charged" and just steamrolls it's way over everything thereafter. Serving as their latest listening experience, and yes, this 10-track LP is an "experience" if you catch my drift, the 3rd full-length album from Master Charger should really do wonders to put this English band on everyone's radar. Even if it does come across as somewhat crushing in it's delivery it's still an album that could leave you in a haze. If you don't know what I'm talking about kids then let's just say that this whole album ends up in smoke by the time it finishes. And, seeing as it closes with the eight minute plus "Journey Through All Tomorrows" it's every bit the definition of stoner/doom rock. On paper (or rolling paper if you will) the band's latest release is a "fusion of late 1960's psychedelic rock and the rock / heavy metal acts of the 1970's" as well as mix of "punk attitude and working class frustration". Translated that means you've got yourself another promising band that combines everything and anything to their basic sound which, while it would normally be one big twisted mess of noise, makes "Unity In Black" a pretty cool listen all around. Taken apart there is everything from the doom of Black Sabbath and Pentagram, the punk of  The Dead Boys, the stoner grooves of Monster Magnet, Fu Manchu and Queens Of The Stone Age and even some semi-grunge by way of Soundgarden and The Melvins. So, when it's all said and done, and the hazy cloud of smoke that would inevitably fill the room of some listeners to this album has dissipated, "Unity In Black" comes across as a heavy and heavenly mastered mix of psychedelic rock and roll, doom metal and stone cold grooves which beckons the listener to hit replay time and time again. In other words it's an album that should be in every stoner rock and doom metal fans music collection/personal library.

Venomous Maximus-Beg Upon The Light

Napalm Records
2013

Despite having a name that sounds like some cheesy villain, straight out a eighties cartoon series with it's own set of toys no less, this Texas outfit's full-length debut album is anything but cheap and plastic! With a pair of demos, and not to mention a compilation CD, preceding this release the time has now come for this Texas band to truly make their mark on the scene. For their first act, or this full-length debut album if you will, the band has signed their names in blood for this unholy collection of tracks. But, first things first. For the record "Beg Upon The Light" looks as if it was originally released back in October of 2012. Somewhat fittingly in time for Halloween no doubt!. So, from the looks of it all you ghouls and goblins, Napalm Records is now just handling the mass release for this album that is drenched in blood. As for what kind of poison Venomous Maximus has concocted?  Well, here we find a rather tasty little metal treat for those who like to have unearthly soundtracks humming around them as they walk under the moon's chilling glow. That's especially true if you like your midnight (black) mass music to contain metal that's darkly-tinted and overtly occultist in nature. For you see Venomous Maximus, a 4-piece outfit and/or demonic reckoning, offers the listening public corrosive, doom-lavished, dark metal with a smokey aftertaste and a loud proclamation that the devil calling out for you to be his co-pilot. Stoner rock meets occult rock through an ad in doom lover's monthly newsletter? That might work, but it gets even weirder when you consider that lead singer Gregg Higgins, in a fashion that sends shivers down your back, often time channels the ghost of Rozz Williams. For you younger readers, out there in the dark cold recesses of time and space (or the Internet if you will), that's the late front-man of Christian Death. Yes, it's the same man whose album, "Only Theatre Of Pain", helped established deathrock as a religious movement and in Gregg's hands, well, let's just say that Rozz has plenty more to say. In other words, that right there (this eerie, uncaring, cold and dreary rock/metal) is the stuff horrifying nightmares and late night ghost visits are made of. Is this music a house haunting in the making? Does it travel back to a time in which listening to rock music and heavy metal was the solo reported cause of societal downfall? Does it, like so many evil albums before it, help lead to a gateway to other-side? Not alone it probably doesn't. But what of the fiery pits of Hades? Gregg Higgins's ghoulish delivery sure makes it seem all the more real and closer at hand then ever before! The sound that results from the toxic combination of Gregg's singing and the band's unnerving dark metal is like something trying to crawl it's way into our world. It comes off as downright creepy. As this album uncurled itself like a famous snake of old (think Genesis kiddos) the tracks just go deeper and deeper and you feel at a loss as you find that your travels have taken you further from home then you ever dared imagine. Looking back all you see is darkness and the only sound at all that you can hope to make out is this album fading into nothingness. That's the gist of "Beg Upon The Night" right there. Sure, on the suffice, it might just come off as some doom, a little dark metal, maybe some death rock to spice things up and, of course it's obligatory these days, some heavy stoner rock riffing, but it's more then meets the eye. Scratch the suffice and this one is ghastly and just not of this earth!

Stone Magnum-From Time...To Eternity

Rest In Peace Records
2013

There are few bands these days that are capable of releasing two albums in the same year. Of that lot, I'd be more then willing to wager a dollar or two, there are probably even fewer that can pull off having both releases be worth listening to. Enter Michigan City, Indiana's own Stone Magnum. With new vocalist/long-time metal legend Nick Hernandez (ex-Dysphoria, ex-Kommandant, ex-Violent Wisdom, ex-Incestuous) on board and a new bass player added in Ben Elliot (ex-Afterlife, ex-Lordes Werre) these fine purveyor's of doom are back with what just might be their best release yet! This sophomore undertaking features 7 new tracks of Black Sabbath worship that's likely to bring a smile to even the grimmest of doom metal fanatics. Of course all of these bands who participate in Black Sabbath love-ins can be one-dimensional at one time or another right? Well, seeing as there was numerous incantations of Black Sabbath that the guys in Stone Magnum could find their groove from (other then just the Ozzy years), founding member/lead guitarist/former lead vocalist Dean Tavernier (Skullview, Black Funeral, Prophecies et Sanctus, Sorath) ended up recruiting a new lead singer that echos Ronnie James Dio at times! So, while the guys in Stone Magnum, which is incidentally rounded out by guitarist Jim Brucks and drummer Brad Toth, might just still be loving on that Black Sabbath doom vibe there's simply more to love about the band thanks to this interesting directional turn. Clocking in at just over 46 minutes in length, with the opening title cut alone running over 8 minutes long, "From Time...To Eternity" is the logical next step for this young band. Formed in 2010, with just these two albums and a 2012 promo EP to their name, Stone Magnum now find themselves in a position that, with hard-work, good-fortune and just the right amount of mainstream press on their side, they could make some serious head-way towards the top of the proverbial doom mountain!

A2athot-Trust Your Ear

Pure Steel Records

2013

With only 3 tracks going for it you would think that this EP would run it's course before you ever knew what happened. That's not so much the case though as this precision packed EP runs close to 25 minutes in length! A one man project in nature, the name of this game is "experimental psychedelic doom" and, given that influences run the gamut from Black Sabbath to Radiohead and WAY BEYOND, it's a weird trip. Even so, one has to admit that this EP holds a certain charm and is worthwhile for those who like to listen to their metal music under the covers and all alone at night!

Church of Misery-Thy Kingdom Scum

Metal Blade Records / Rise Above Records
2013

What better day is there then Sunday to go to church? No, we're not taking about God's holy place here and you won't be hearing any glory-bound choirs with this Japanese act. Rather thee church...the Church Of Misery is a religion in and off itself! For those that don't know the name then perhaps a bit of explanation would be in order. Don't even consider the darkness that is, style-wise, at the heart of this doom-ridden metal act. That, in and of itself, isn't mainstream metal, but it's not that unexpected either. What sets this band apart from other Sabbath fanatics is their lyrical obsession with serial killers and mass murders! While even that might not be all that unusual, given how heavy metal has long had a reputation of obsessing over serial killers and murders in general, with Church Of Misery it's taken to a much higher plain. Before we delve into the darkness that is "Thy Kingdom Scum" though I did promise a bit of back-story. The band was founded back in 1995 by former Salem member/bass guitarist Tatsu Mikami. While Salem played thrash (and reportedly good thrash at that!) Tatsu wanted more creative freedom to explore other genres of his liking including doom metal and doom rock.With Church Of Misery in place Tasu Mikami could look towards bands like Black Sabbath and Saint Vitus for inspiration. Growing up Tatsu Mikami had embraced heavy metal and thrash, but he was also into the likes of Blue Öyster Cult and underground 60's/early 70's heavy rock like May Blitz, High Tide, Gun, November and Leaf Hound. If you're scratching your head over those last few acts you're not alone as they were new to me as well. All that matters though is that Tasu wanted his new project to reflect his personal musical interests so in 1995, with the help of  Tomohiro Nishimura (guitar), Hideki Shimizu (drums) and Kazuhiro Asaeda (vocals), Church Of Misery started looking to make a name for themselves. In 1996 the band would release their first demo, "ADV.1996", and from there this Japanise act would continue to build up their reputation as being one of the finest post-Sabbath doom-lovin' bands out there. Sure, I'm skipping over a lot of history (and quite a few line-up changes!) with this band by going straight from their demo to this new release, but what's really important here is these 7-tracks that stand before us. With "Thy Kingdom Scum" the familiar sound of Church Of Misery is intact although, in a splendid way of course, the band sounds even more so free of restrictions and just let things unfold in a natural fashion. It's still heavy and that doom metal backside isn't going anywhere, but with this new album it seems as if the band approached things in a very laid back kind of fashion. Of course that's as laid back as you can be when your subject matter covers the likes of Dennis Rader aka the B.T.K. killer! All always these guys pull no punches and are not very shy about their chosen subject matter! Overall this new slab of chilling doom metal is solid and a sign that there is much more for this band to tap into. "Thy Kingdom Scum" should please fans of the group as well as anyone who happens to stumble upon Tatsu Mikami's labor of love!

Goatess-Goatess

Svart Records
2013

Just going by the album art I knew this one was going to be right up my alley! What we have in Goatess is a vehicle (or rather another vehicle you could say) for current Lord Vicar front-man Chritus Linderson (Count Raven, Saint Vitus, Terra Firma) to maneuver all by himself. This Swedish 4-piece band is, as one might well expect, doomish in nature, but this homegrown beast, which was actually called Weekend Beast at the start, are a looser interpretation of the genre then Lord Vicar. After all this is a project that sees fit to indulge in the "worship of the heavy riff"! What does that entail for your average listener then? I'd say it means that you get a side of Sleep and Kuyss to go with your main-course of Sabbath loving doom. What's really good about this debut-album is the low-key production. Goatess don't opt for a raw production or anything like that, but the production is under-stated in such a way that it gives the album a rather earthy and nature vibe. There's few groups these days that could pull that off (having less be more production-wise), but this Swedish act sits comfortably knowing that this low-key production perfectly suites their rawer attitude. In essence this is doom metal smoking lot's of hash with the end result being a low-key album with the potential for a huge impact.

Grift-Fyra elegier

Nordvis
2013

There's nothing creepy about this one. No, not at all. There's only the art work that gives me chills and the every creeping melancholic metal that gives me pause. Grift, which is a Swedish duo, formed back in 2011 and somehow (perhaps by tapping into everything that is unholy?) have issued an album that sounds like every nightmare and childhood fear I've ever had! With Perditor (Orcivus, Arfsynd) on vocals and strings, and J. Hallbäck (Flagellant) handling the drums there's a simplistic vibe to this album and yet it's some of the coldest metal I've experienced in sometime. With Swedish lyrics in place there's not much to go on as far as topics go although the promo does share that this release is all about "mans' insignificance and everything unimaginable before Death's triumph." Yeah, that's not bleak or anything! Worth tracking down if you're one of those people who sees the world for the damned place it really is.