Arkham Witch-"Get Thothed-Vol. II"

Metal On Metal Records
2018

Arkham Witch* is a UK-based heavy/doom metal band that was formed in 2009 by vocalist/bassist Simon (The Lamp of Thoth) and drummer Emily (The Lamp of Thoth, ex-ex-Syteria). As of this writing, Arkham Witch is rounded out by guitarists Aldo "Dodo" Doom (ex-Let 'Em Burn, ex-Gods of Hellfire, ex-Diavolo, ex-Ironstorm) and Dirty John (ex-Let 'Em Burn, ex-BloodStream). This six-track EP, "Get Thothed -Vol. III", comes two or so years after the release of the single "Frost and Fire 2016" (a very cool Cirith  Ungol cover that can be downloaded for free by heading here.) Just in case the title isn't enough of a giveaway, this release is the 3rd (and ultimately last) one in a series of EPs where Arkham Witch plays The Lamp Of Thoth material. In the case of "Get Thothed-Vol. III" we are talking about previously-unreleased TLOT material. I'm not sure if all three of the EPs are like this (covers of previously-unreleased material from TLOT), but this particular one is. If my notes are correct (and they should be) the line-up for this EP was: Simon (vocals), Aldo "Dodo" Doom (guitars), Dirty John (guitars), Jayanta Brahma (bass), and Emily Ningauble (drums). As previously stated there are only six songs on this EP. That is all fine and dandy I suppose, but when you have a couple of long tracks like "The Beast and the Black Art" (a blazing hot hard & heavy/metallic doom cut that clocks in at 11:13 and is a fave moment of mine!) and "This Wretched World Forlorn" (this heavier than hell/slow and steady doom smasher runs ten minutes and forty eight seconds!) should you really call this disc a EP? If anything it is more like an expanded EP. And it is a f**king good one at that! Clocking in at over fifty minutes(!), "Get Thothed-Vol. II" starts off with the heavy & hard doom rocker that is "Emperor of Dreams". From there we are treated to one sick track after another with "Lord of the Midnight Hour" and "Wizard of the Gloves" being two of my other favorite numbers on this devilishly-good EP. The seven plus minutes long "Lord of the Midnight Hour" is a grand mixture of doom metal, N.W.O.B.H.M., and occult metal. It has a sinister vibe that should appeal to both old school doom rock/metal fans and anyone that likes the more twisted side of devil rock**. Running just over the seven minute mark, "Wizard of the Gloves" starts off sounding like classic Metallica before slowly morphing it's way into a doom-laden hard rock number that would make Ozzy proud! It might not be the most technical number of the lot, but there is no denying it's catchy nature. Closing things out on this extended-EP we have "The Marriage of the Ghouls". At 8:21 it carries a very familiar sound, but I wouldn't want to spoil it for anything by reveling too much. It is another one of those slow and steady burners that suddenly comes to life at the very end of the song. Fairly solid overall, the song works as the EP's last track. Packaged in a cardboard sleeve with a two-page insert and a twelve-page booklet with lyrics for all of the EPs, "Get Thothed -Vol. III" is a nice gift for fans of the band as well as anyone that likes top-tier heavy/doom metal. It is also a sweet CD to listen to while we patiently wait for album number four from the guys and gal in Arkham Witch. Speaking of which, when will that drop again?



* It's a funny thing to think about now, but I didn't like Arkham Witch the first time I heard them (link). Their one track, "For Metal", appeared on the Metal On Metal Records' sampler "Compendium Of Metal Vol. 5" and I thought it was dull. Fast forward a few months and the group's sophomore album, "Legions of the Deep" blew me away! That just goes to show the sometimes you can be wrong about first admissions. You can read my review of that album by heading here. If you don't already have it, "Legion of the Deep" comes highly-recommended as it makes for a must-have addition to any (hard & heavy) doom metal collections!!


**By "devil rock" I mean the kind of bands and artists that would use the image of Satan to shock people.

Hexenjäger-Black Titan

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Previously covered in one of my "French Metal Friday" features, Hexenjäger (which incidentally is German for "witch hunter") is a four-piece doom/stoner rock band that hails from Saint-Nazaire and has been active since 2009. The recently-released "Black Titan", which was recorded, mixed and mastered by Antoine Gonzalez at L'Atelier Studio in Vensac, Gironde in July of 2015, is Hexenjäger's full-length debut album and (frankly speaking ladies and gents!) it's a real banger! It follows the quartet's 2-track demo from late March of last year and finds this top-tier French collective making great strides in regards to improved song writing/song structures and overall (individual) performances. For band-mates Charly (vocals), Charles (guitars), Flo (bass), and Ben (drums) this all-imposing/towering record is as huge as this band's potential! Granted there are only four songs on "Black Titan", but when the title track alone clocks in at over 19 minutes(!) it's all golden! Is "Black Titan" the one event in Hexenjäger's time-line that helps usher in this French band's inevitably rise towards world-wide fortune and glory? Well, it's either that or record label' PR folks might actually snap their puny little necks as they whirl around and go "What's that groovy as fuck noise?"! One or the other is bound to happen so you'd be well-advised to keep an eye out for the further adventures of this doom-laden stoner rock band! 

Free Metal Monday: Dixie Goat-Black Sun Child

Self-Release/Independent
2015


I'm not sure how it happened, but somehow it's Monday again friends. It's like I blink and there goes the weak. What's more it's now November! Where did the past month go? Like the old Steve Miller Band song goes "Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' Into the future". It's weirdness I tell you. Pure weirdness. Anyway, let's talk about Dixie Goat here. "Black Sun Child" is their latest release (and possibly only one?) and it is HOT off the presses! How hot? How about October 31st HOT! Yeah, that's HOT alright! As for the who, where and what of this freshly unearthed treasure? Well, the who (besides the excellent band name) would be:

J.P: Drums
K.F: Bass
Nikk: Guitar & Vocals

As for the where? Try Santiago, Chile. That just leaves us with the what. Does anyone want to take a stab in the dark here? If you looked at that cover and said "It's got to be doom in one shape or another" then you are correct! Not only is this doom, but it's GREAT doom!! Or at least that's the outer shell of this Halloween treat. Just like a certain candy coated chocolate delight (which I LOVE!) there's more to the story than meets the eye  Once you get past the tasty candy coating art that is doom (as in doom glorious doom!) you'll find yourself lost in a world of imagination where (seventies) hard rock, stoner rock, hard & heavy and even snarky punk do a little dance, make a little love and get down tonight! Yes my friends that's right! I'm talking about damn catchy doom metal that brings the joint to it's knees with riff-tastic rock! And the best part is it's FREE! Sure, it would be a good thing to throw a few coins in the jar for these Santiago movers and shakers, but I certain can and do understand that it's tough all over. We've all got to do what we can to make it. And that right there is part of the reason I try to dig up free music for our readers. So, whether you buy this hard working trio a drink or two or not this well-laid out album is right here waiting for you....with open arms. And the band? Well, you can find out more about Dixie Goat over at their Facebook page.

Exorcism-Word In Sin

Dream Records

2015

Following in the footsteps of 2014's well-received "I Am God", the limited-edition EP, "Word In Sin", is the latest release from modern doom metal project Exorcism. It is available through the band's official website and for Exorcism this EP continues down the same path that was started on their 2014 debut. In other words this is heavy metal/doom metal of the highest quality as inspired by Dio-era Black Sabbath! Active since 2006, Exorcism is more or less just a vehicle for Csaba Zvekan to show off his impressive skills as a front-man, but when you have someone this skilled manning the mic it's not as if you can really complain! Especially seeing as how Csaba Zvekan (Metal Machine, Raven Lord, ex-Emergency, ex-Sardonyx, ex-Killing Machine, ex-Calling Toy, ex-Rough Angel, ex-Warpdrive) approaches the whole affair with absolute class and a insurmountable amount of respect for both the man and the actual band that helped shape this modern day take on classic doom! Serving as a tribute to the late great Ronnie James Dio, "Word In Sin" is a inspired release and one that should appease both fans of Exorcism and newcomers alike. As it is a strictly-limited EP fans of Exorcism may want to jump on "World In Sin" if they want a actual CD copy of this gem. Otherwise you can (digitally) snag this one from the usual sources (Amazon & iTunes).