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This Week's Recommended New Releases (03/25/16)...

3/26/2016

This week's recommended new releases (03/25/16):
[Click on band name for samples and more info]

Amon Amarth - Jomsviking (Metal Blade)

The 10th album from the veteran Swedish quartet sounds exactly like an Amon Amarth album. That’s not a bad thing, of course. These guys have their sound and they don’t stray from it. I like Melodeath and I like Vikings, so sign me up for more of this every few years. Even after you skip past the dreadful drinking anthem and the questionable, forced collaboration with Doro, you’re left with 10 songs about vanquishing enemies and bloodstained swords and whatnot. Yes, the band is widely known and even (gasp) popular. That’s okay. It’s okay to enjoy music from a band that more than 60 people have heard of.

Beastmaker - Lusus Naturae (Rise Above)

Fantastic throwback Doom Metal on the debut from this Fresno, CA trio. When I say throwback, I’m talking about the 1990’s, by the way, Of course, that was all a throwback to the 1970’s anyway and this record has Sabbath DNA for sure, but it’s not an overt 70’s nostalgia trip. It sounds more like the early Sleep and Electric Wizard albums, before the object was to simply make a racket and bum people out. As a bass player who has been ripping off Geezer for years, I fully endorse the multitude of gnarly bass fills that stand out predominantly throughout the record. Another big step in the right direction for a record label that used to dominate the genre.

Blood Ceremony - Lord of Misrule (Rise Above)

This is more in line with what Rise Above has been releasing lately, and while I’m officially off of the 70’s retro train, I’m making an exception for this one because the band is just too awesome to ignore. On their 4th album, the Toronto quartet continues to invoke dark spirits via Psychedelic Doom and Occult Rock, heavily relying on the flute once again to counter the fuzzed-out guitars and the witchy lead vocals. While the flute may seem like an attention grab and obvious nod to certain 70’s prog rockers, I say if you can jam on the flute like that, flute it up.

Deadsmoke - Deadsmoke (Heavy Psych)

Clocking in at 5 tracks and just under 31 minutes, this is somewhere between a full album and an EP, but if the debut from this Italian trio is a sign of things to come, we have another Doom monster on our hands. There’s a fair bit of Electric Wizard influence in the tempos, tone and riffs, but the vocals are much more pained, relying on Sludge Metal shouts and shrieks to convey the band’s wretched messages. I’m not a big Sludge guy, as I prefer a bit more tact, but these guys straddle the line just enough to turn out a fine Doom record.

Immensity - The Isolation Splendour (Hypnotic Dirge)

Embracing the classic Doom/Death Metal sound, this Greek 6-piece cranks out a stunning Peaceville homage on their debut release. Switching between death growls and soaring cleans, the vocals call on 20+ years of genre influence while delivering tales of sorrow and pain and all that good stuff. As always, though, I’m a sucker for the slow, haunting guitar lines that provide the bulk of the record’s melody. The album is a bit bloated, clocking in over one hour. That’s a lot of despair to digest in one sitting, but it’s a solid listen all the way through and if you like the genre, you won’t be disappointed.

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This Week's Recommended New Releases (03/18/16)...

3/18/2016

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This week's recommended new releases (03/18/16):
[Click on band name for samples and more info]

Curse the Son - Isolator (Snake Charmer Coalition)

This is some solid, classic Stoner/Doom Metal on the third album from the New Haven, CT trio. They certainly aren’t reinventing the wheel or pushing the genre’s boundaries, but they have a very solid grasp on the trademark sound. Roaring fuzzy guitars, cymbal-heavy drums and reverb-drenched vocals that sit in the higher register; that combination never gets old in my opinion. That’s not to say that this is a generic release by any means. The songs are well written and these dudes know how to jam. If you like the heavier, slower, doomier end of the Stoner Metal spectrum, you can’t go wrong with this release.

Holy Grove - Holy Grove (Heavy Psych)

Because we can never have enough female-fronted Doom from Portland, I present you with the totally boss debut record from this northwestern quartet. This one relies heavily on 70’s rock staples like big drum intros, bluesy bass fills and monster riffs complimented by tasty leads. What really makes this one stand out, though, is the incredible vocal performance. The singer has a very powerful, soulful voice and she isn’t afraid to reach for the falsetto when called upon. This is a solid record end-to-end and again, while it’s not breaking any ground, it covers all of the bases and should be a fantastic addition to any contemporary Doom catalogue.

Monolith - Mountain (Final Gate)

It’s hard to keep the 300 bands called Monolith straight these days, but I think this German quartet goes a long way towards becoming THE Monolith on their second album. Despite the regrettable use of Ozzy-worship vocals that sound way too close to The Sword, this one pounds straight out of the gate with crushing Doom riffs offset by weirdo psychedelia, which creates a bit of a creepier atmosphere than your standard Doom record. The bass is also very audible and active on this album, which is always a nice bonus. There are also some catchy choruses and tons of hooks, which sound almost poppy. Overall, it’s a fun record.

Obsidian Sea - Dreams, Illusions, Obsessions (Nuclear War Now!)

The second album from this Bulgarian trio was a nice surpise. Amongst a sea of solid, but predictable Doom records, this one stands out with its traditional sound that somehow doesn’t sound incredibly dated or retro. Yes, the riffs are all minor key progressions and the vocals echo all over the place, but there’s an unquantifiable appeal that sets this one apart. In an era where every Doom band is aping the 70’s, these guys lean more on the mid-80’s Doom scene, picking out the best parts of Candlemass and Trouble and combining them into a stew that has tons of staying power.

The Temple - Forevermourn (I Hate)

This Greek quartet doesn’t exactly raid any past Doom eras on their debut album, instead going with a straightforward attack that oozes misery and despair. Eschewing the played out retro sound, these dudes have developed a sound that is truly their own and one which comes together beautifully on my favorite release of the week. The bass tone is irritatingly thin, but I’ll give them points for being original in that regard. The guitars absolutely make the record, though. While the ethereal vocals shine on every track, the riffage and melancholic leads are absolutely stunning. This is the rare record that makes you want to simultaneously weep and bang your head.

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This Week's Recommended New Releases...

3/12/2016

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This week's recommended new releases (03/11/16):
[Click on band name for samples and more info]

Arcana 13 - Danza Macabra (Aural Music)

With the breakthrough success of Ghost, I would expect a glut of similar sounding bands crawling out of the woodwork. That was my first impression of the debut release from this Italian quartet, but it really exceeds and destroys anything that Ghost ever released. While there are retro organs and almost poppy vocals, the riffs here are heavy as fuck and the lyrics aren’t cartoonish. Apparently all eight tracks are based on classic horror movies, but I’m not well versed enough on that subject to glean any insight. Regardless, it’s an exceedingly fun release. If you’re looking for doomy riffs and spooky atmosphere, give this one a try.

Draugnim - Vulturine (Debemur Morti)

The Finnish trio brings some solid Bathory worship with their third album. Combining Black Metal with orchestrations, folk elements and Pagan imagery, this is pretty much all you can ask for in a modern-day Nordic release. The vocals are more of a guttural death growl than your typical Black Metal nonsense, so that’s a plus. The guitars are razor sharp and blazing throughout, blasting out enough melody to make all of Gothenburg weep. The drums are super echo-y, conjuring up images of ancient calls to battle (or something like that). This isn’t my usual forte, but I enjoyed it very much.

R.I.P. - In the Wind (Totem Cat)

I’ve been looking forward to this release for a long time, based solely on the album cover and knowing nothing about the band. It turns out that you can judge a book (or record) by its cover sometimes. The debut from this Portland quartet is the most fun I’ve had in a while. The lo-fi production, the up-tempo doom riffs, the reverb-drenched vocals…it all works perfectly. This is just a classic Heavy Metal album that doesn’t need to trade on nostalgia to make its point. It sounds like something that could have been released in 1982, but it also sounds incredible contemporary. I’m definitely keeping an eye on these dudes for a while.

Skuggsja - A Piece for Mind & Mirror (Season of Mist)

I have a hard time getting into a lot of Folk Metal releases because it’s all starting to sound the same. This release from members of Enslaved and Warduna (and a host of contributing musicians) is exactly what a Folk Metal should sound like. Rather than cranking through some standard Melodeath riffs and throwing some flute on top and singing about mead, these guys put some thought and talent into the record. The metal elements, while a bit sparse, could stand on their own without the additional folk elements and the folk parts would sound equally amazing without any drums or heavy guitars. That, in my opinion, should be the ultimate goal in Folk Metal and these dudes have achieved the target.

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This Week's Recommended New Releases (03/04/16)...

3/4/2016

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This week's recommended new releases (03/04/16):
[Click on band name for samples and more info]

Centipede - Sarnath (Inverse)

This is finally the debut full-length from a Finnish trio who have been active since 2011. Combining thrashing rhythms with slower, pounding Doom riffs and Matt Pike-esque vocals, the sound falls squarely into that whole Barbarian Metal thing perfected by High on Fire and Conan, only with a bit more melody at times. I particularly enjoy the fuzzy bass tone throbbing behind the buzz-saw guitars and amply filling the void during the lead sections. The songs are also short for the genre, so you won't get bogged down or bored. Top notch work from a solid, up and coming band. The Doom that Came to Sarnath, indeed.

Church of Misery - And Then There Were None (Rise Above)

The 6th album from the Doom veterans is the first since the departure of all but one member of the legendary Japanese band. Filling the lineup out with American dudes, bassist Tatsu Mikami continues on with the long-standing tradition of only writing sounds about serial killers. I actually enjoy this iteration of the band more, as I never cared much for the vocals on the past releases. Soundwise, it’s a prototype Doom album – slow, bluesy riffs and vocals straight from Lee Dorrian’s playbook. No complaints there. It’s also nice to see Rise Above releasing Doom records again instead of 70’s throwback schlock.

Mesarthim - Isolate (Avantgarde)

The Australian duo’s debut album is a tough one to review because I don’t even know what I’m listening to, but I know I really dig it. It’s supposed to be Atmospheric Black Metal and I think that’s fair, except it also sounds like a Doom record and has a ridiculous amount of melody. The drums are pounding constantly and you have your standard BM tremolo riffing and tortured shouts, but the bass is audible, the guitar leads are subdued and emotional and the star of the show is the piano. Yes, the piano. There are plenty of weirdo synths involved that I could live without, but when the piano/keys kick in atop the metal maelstrom, these dudes reach the pinnacle. Just take a chance on this one and give it a listen all the way through.

Soon - Vol. 1 (Temple Of Tortuous)

This is what happens when two indie rock dudes get together with two veterans of the Chapel Hill, NC Doom scene and make a record. It’s a neat experiment and for the most part it works very well. It’s not a straight-up Doom record, as there are elements of Folk music spread heavily throughout and it gets a little spaced-out at times, but there’s plenty to enjoy here. The heavy moments are very enjoyable and I really like the dichotomy with the mellow parts. It’s probably not something I’ll go back to time and again, but I’m glad I got the chance to hear it and I don’t think you’ll regret it either. And that's coming from a staunch anti-indie rock guy. Maybe if they make another album, they'll learn that not every Doom record has to be called Vol. (insert number).

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