Tag: doom metal

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EUPHROSYNE – Keres – REVIEW

 

Euphrosyne describes itself as a “post-black doom.” While that may be a turn off for some and an instant must listen to others regardless of your own preference, their latest EP is worthy of your attention.

The opening track, “Black Opal,” is an instrumental complete with haunting synths alongside a rather jazzy sounding saxophone. Kinda like a mellow Black Metal elevator song. Trust me. It works.

The following track, “Pale Days,” is where the party really starts and may be one of the strongest tracks on the album. The rhythm section guys into overdrive and accompanies the synths and violins and screaming vocals. There is a lot of layers at play here but thanks to some killer production it all works here. Vocalist Efi Eva showcases an incredible range of vocals from harsh screams to whispers. Where she really hits her peak is in her “symphonic metal” style.

The band does a great job changing the musical style based on the vocals. There are a ton of layers to this EP and it will require a few listens until you really pick up on everything. Personally, I love going from blast beats to synths and saxophone on “Within the Ages.”

From classic tremolo riffing, blast beats and killer riffs, Euphrosyne still manages to stay fresh why remaining Trve.

 

 

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WYNDRIDER – Revical – REVIEW

We are back with a second helping of Stoner Doom for the month of January. This time around, things are a little soft and calm with WyndRider at the helm.

WyndRider emerged from the Appalachian Mountain area of Tennessee in and released their debut self titled album in 2023. Their must be something in the water of the Bible Belt because this is some serious good ol’ Southern Doom.

This album lazily floats you along with deep, warm and fuzzy tones instantly gets your body moving. Vocalist Chloe Gould perfectly bluesy/soul/haunting vocals blend into the groove perfectly. As the tracks plod along you’ll feel if you can actually feel a smoky haze start to feel the room around you. WyndRyder do a great job of capturing that early Black Sabbath feeling in Metal; Occult rock with great grooves and plenty of dark atmosphere.

Listening to Revival you will instantly feel the Sabbath influenced riffs with an almost distinctive tone. Don’t let that discount the band as another simple Sabbath worship band. Gould’s warm and haunting vocals really add a bit of a swagger that helps WyndRyder over the pack.

Album #2 for WyndRyder is yet another step forward for the group.  With 2 strong releases in a relatively short time, WyndRyder is a band to watch.

 

 

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FIREBLOOD -Goatslayer – REVIEW

 

Fireblood are here with a grimy and slimy 4 track EP beat down. Goatslayer is actually the band’s second EP of 2024, following up Hellalujah earlier in the year.

Looking at the album art, you may expect to get hear some evil ass death metal or some ear spitting thrash. Instead you will find some pretty savage sludge and doom within. The band plays a style of self described, “Southern Fried Sludge.”

“A Perfect Place for Death,” starts out with thick riffs showcasing their sludgy style. The vocals are clean, no growls but are still harsh and brutal.

“Death Comes Rolling,” is one of the best named stoner tracks I have heard in a long time. The vocals are a little heavier in parts. The spoken parts are a little to mumble and grunge inspired for my personal taste but that’s just me. The grove on this track is enough for me to forgot about that.

“Burning Underground, ” is where the real Doom crawl begins. Slow, heavy and full of thick lead lined spoke, this track is Fireblood at their best.

Closing out the EP with the monster 7 minute “A.I.G.O.D,” FireBlood are able to maintain a long grove that will be to be a hit with fans of the genre.

 

 

 

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WYNDRIDER – Wyndrider – REVIEW

 

With the extra long holiday weekend, it’s a great time to take a moment, reflect and relax. And what better to do just that than to listen to the mellow and raw Doom tunes from Wyndrider’s debut album.

Fans of old school Doom such as Black Sabbath and Budgie are gonna love the thick and juicy Blues flavors that run the course of the album. The fuzzy tones and flowing solos will propel you into another reality while the soothing vocals guide you along the way. Vocalist Chloe Gould’s haunting melodies blend in perfectly with Wydryder’s classic Doon approach.

Sonically this is an incredible showcase of a debut album delivering killer grooves in spades. The fuzzy guitar work throughout the recording leave a haze in the air that dosen’t seem to go away even long after the record has finished playing. WyndRyder aims to take the listener on a sonic journey and succeeds throughout much of the album.

If you are looking for something new with your Doom, you may want to look elsewhere. However, if you are looking for that old school classic Doom with a nice dash of Southern Rock and the Blues, this one is for you. Gould’s soothing vocals and the guitar tones are worth the price of admission alone.

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GRAVEHUFFER – Mile High Live – REVIEW

Recorded live from the Mile High City, Denver Colorado on July 9th of 2023,Gravehuffer’s live album perfectly captures the mayhem of one of their live shows. It’s the next best thing to actually seeing the band in person. Plus you probably won’t get any bruises, broken bones or lost shoes jamming to this one at home.

For a live recording this album sounds fantastic. You can actually make out each instrument which is even a challenge for a grind/doom/punk/etc/etc band to achieve under studio conditions. But don’t let that frighten the grindheads out there. There is still plenty of carnage happening here. “Go Murder, Pray and Die,” still comes out savage as fuck. (Just try not to tip over the couch if you are listening at home. Or do. I don’t care. I’m not your Mom)

Vocalist Travis McKenzie even provides some amusing crowd between songs often involving some clever self deprecating humor. Who knew necrophilia could be so funny?

In addition to the live show, Gravehuffer included a few cover songs. “Like Rats,” (Godflesh) “Destroyer,” (Twisted Sister) “Inca Roads,” (Frank Zappa) and “Children of the Grave.” (Black Sabbath) The Frank Zappa cover is…..interesting. However, Gravehuffer some how transitions this into a killer doom crusted cover of “Children of the Grave.”  Don’t ask me how. It just works.

 

 

 

 

 

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ALTAR of BETELGEUZE – Echoes – REVIEW

 

Do you love Doom Metal? Hate it? Don’t care for it? Altar of Betlegeuze has you covered with their latest release, Echoes.

The Finnish Doom masters have cleverly melded multiple styles and sounds into something that is accessible to everyone. Every note feels heavy as Altar of Betlegeuze set out to prove slower usually means heavier. Altar of Betlegeuze aren’t playing slow just for the sake of being a “Doom” band. Every note march the songs forward. No fancy fills or strange ambient passages. Throughout the recording you’ll hear harsh and clean vocals, sludgy riffs and even some hints of Groove Metal. “Embrace the Flames,” is a banger that feels a little different than the rest with its’ “speed” Altar of Betelgeuze is able to do all of this while remaining true to their original Doom beginnings, keeping it mean, slow and heavy.

If you are looking for an album to introduce yourself or a friend to Doom Metal without scaring them away, look no further.

 

 

 

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HEMPLIFIER – The Stoner Side of Doom – REVIEW

 

Alright friends. Grab a seat. Take off your shoes. Lean back and relax. We are going to take off on a journey through the stars with Hemplifier. The group’s debut album is 6 tracks of weed and riffs worship.

Just as their band name and album title suggest, Hemplifier play slow and heavy riffs filled with plenty of fuzz and bong fumes. The 6 track album starts off with “Headless Chicken,” that features a slow drum march. Their sound goes a few steps further with the next track, “Brujo.” The track sludges along for some time until the haunting and howling vocals kick in. While there is plenty of slow and heavy riffing there isn’t much on the vocal front on this album.

This is pretty much the stage that Hemplifier has set. 7 to 8 minute tracks of sludgy, fuzzy and mellow riffing with the occasional howl or scream. Just like Sleep or Weedeater you can practically smell the ganja in these tracks. Keeping it simple Hemplifier have cooked up a nice little listen for the times you just want to relax and let the music take you.

Or you’re just giving your neck some rest.

 

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SORROWFUL LAND- Faded Anchors of the Past – REVIEW

One man bands impress the hell out of me. I could hardly play the recorder in elementary school, so this level of virtuosity is way beyond anything I could dream of achieving. Max Molodtsov is the magician behind Sorrowful Land which he formed in 2014. Based in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Molodtsov is a member of several other Ukrainian metal bands which span over several different genres.

Faded Anchors of the Past is a huge treat for fans of atmospheric Doom Metal. It’s perfectly melds tragic and somber tones that feel equally as strong and powerful. This is the perfect soundtrack to let your mind drift and have the music carry you away. The contrast of soft clean vocals and some impressive growls are a nice touch and have an early Amorphis Tales of a Thousand Lakes feel on some of the tracks.

Each of the eight songs included here are a separate story to a complete journey. Although the album is over an hour in length, Molodtsov does a fantastic job keeping the listeners attention as everything flows so expertly well. From the piano fills to the heavy and plodding riffs, this album checks every mark on what it takes to make a fantastic Doom album.

Keep an eye on this release as it’s sure to show up in many album of the year lists for 2023.

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LUST WITCH – We All Die Alone – REVIEW

 

Lust Witch’s deput, We All Die Alone, is four  tracks of murky and sludgy doom crawling out from the depths of Indianapolis. Interestingly enough, the 4 song titles are taken from the words in the album title with “We,” being the first track and so on. With that thought process in mind, this album is meant to be enjoyed as a complete listen.  Each track melds into the next. Don’t put this one on shuffle.

“We,” starts off softly with an eerie tone coupled with some creepy chants in the background. Lust Witch slowly build up the temp and intensity into the second track, “All.” The tones are a little harsher and the sense of dread still hangs thick in the air. With “Die,” the longest track on the recording, Lust Witch continues with more vocal work and more thick and chunky riffs. Throughout the first 3 tracks you can really sense that Lust Witch is building to something.

“Alone,” closes things out starting with some thick and nasty bass grooves and trench deep guitar tones. As the song title would suggest, “Alone,” has an unshakable depressing feeling of isolation and loneliness and despair. Everything your blackened little heart wants from a Doom EP.

 

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THE HUMAN RACE IS FILTH – Echo Chambers – REVIEW

 

You gotta love that band name. Straight to the point and utterly complete statement. The Human Race is Filth or THIRF for short,  was formed back in 2017 by a bunch of veterans of the Maryland and Pennsylvania extreme music scenes. With a shit load of experience between the band members, THRIF deliver exactly what you would expect on this short EP.

THRIF does a great job playing blistering old school Grind. The closing track, “Shit States USA,” is just a little over 30 seconds and length but starts out with a cool groove before going into full blown blast mode. It’s one of those tracks that remind of the early days of Napalm Death where you would want repeat the shortest tracks over and over.  The group does take time to slow things down a bit in parts. “Mindless Thoughts,” starts with a groovy crawling bass that is followed by a creeping guitar before the blast beats hit What sets THRIF apart is their ability to blend in some Sludge and Doom elements that perfectly fill out a song. It dosent feel at all out of place and still delivers a meaty hook to the jaw.

At less than 10 minutes in length, you can spin Echo Chambers a few time before clocking in to work.