Doom/Stoner Reviews

ed · Subject: Re: Doom/Stoner Reviews Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:56 pm

Another re-issue from Cathedral which I bought for the DVD which turned out to be a bit of a disappointment but more about that later. This one is the second album "The Ethereal Mirror" which is comes with a extra 35 minutes of music in the form of the "Statik Majik EP" and a bonus DVD. No need to go into song descriptions, most people will already know this album backwards. It was a real change for the band after the Doom-Fest which was their first album "Forest of Equilibrium". While their is still plenty of Doomy passages, the sound of the band changed dramatically. The vocal work of Lee Dorrian dropped the growling, moaning style and the guitar sound was pushed higher in the mix. While it was less Doomy, they became more polished, precise and focused. Since its release in 1993 it has become wildly recognized as one of the best albums from the band along with the first album and "The Garden Of Uneartly Delights" but that really comes down to personal preference. I rate "Endtyme" as being just as good as those albums with "Carnival Bizarre" coming in right behind them in terms of solid, no filler product. The EP "Statik Majik" is also one of their best ever recordings and you get that as a bonus here but its strangely missing the track "Midnight Mountain".If you already have all these recordings, the only real incentive to buy this re-issue is the DVD here named "Ethereal Reflections". Is it worth it you asked, well not really as it is pretty boring even for a dedicated Cathedral fan like myself. The motionless camera work doesn't help and if you have seen the DVD that came with the "Forest Of Equilibrium" then this just more of the same except talking about a different album this time. There is some questions fielded by cover artist Dave Patchett but that is the only real interesting moment on the DVD. The DVD is also dead basic, you can't even skip bits as it only has a "play all" function on the menu. The other negative thing about this re-issue is the way it is packaged. The "Statik Majik" EP is simply glued to the back of the CD case, I didn't even attempt to removed it as I didn't want to tear the CD sleeve. Why they choose to do this is just a mystery and it gives the package a cheap look about it. These type of re-issues are really only of interest to new fans or people wanting to check the band out for the first time. If you are one of these people, then this is great value as you get over 2 hours of CD/DVD for a bargain price. The album itself is of course essential and I will listen to it forever, for me its a timeless piece of work but the packaging and the less than entertaining DVD documentary spoils what could have been something really unique. If you still never bothered to seek this album out, then this re-issue would be the way to go. 9.5/10

ed · Subject: Re: Doom/Stoner Reviews Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:57 pm

I got both these albums from "Abstract Spirit" the same day so rather than split the reviews up i thought it would put both of them in the one review because they are both great doses of Funeral Doom. The band is from Russia and while the country is not really force in the Metal scene, the Doom bands from there all seem to be real good. "Abstract Spirit" have been together since 2006 and are on the "Solitude Productions" label which has become a extremely accomplished record label with bands on their roster like the mighty "Heavy Lord". The label seems to focus mostly on the Funeral Doom genre and "Abstract Spirit" must be one of the best bands doing it. "Liquid Dimensions Change" came out in last year and its a slow, moody, atmospheric album in a similar vein to bands like early "Cathedral" and "Winter". The songs are slow, i mean real slow and take a long long time to develop and build which may turn some people off the album but its worth sitting through for the pure darkness factor. The album has only 6 songs that stretch the album out to over 60 minutes but its a long harrowing process to get to the end of the album in one sitting. The vocals kill, low deep grunting is the style on show here and it fits in well with the low-end crunch of the guitar work. This is a delightfully depressive album but with the movements being so slow to develop, it may push some listeners to thoughts of suicide. 7/10

The new album however “Tragedy And Weeds” shows some real progression and a change into more high quality production and more focused song construction. The material is still total Funeral Doom but sounds more mature and the songs sound more well thought out and arranged. Like "Liquid Dimensions Change", there is another 6 songs of depressive melodies, bleak atmosphere all played slow with the guttural growling vocals still there in check. They use the sound of sound of wind instruments to create a even more "Funeral Like Feeling" and while the style hasn't changed much, there is certainly more to this album compared with their previous effort. This music often promotes feelings of anxiety, depression and loneliness which is the whole point behind "Funeral Doom" and this band creates the mood for those emotions very well indeed. No track stands out anymore than any other, they all reek of the same sounds and quality but "Tragedy And Weeds" beats ""Liquid Dimensions Change" hands down in my opinion. Perfect music for your next day of heavy rain and howling winds. 9/10
www.myspace.com/abstractspirit

ed · Subject: Re: Doom/Stoner Reviews Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:00 pm

Doomraiser - Erasing The Remembrance

Italy's "Doomraiser" first came on the scene back in 2004 with the demo "Heavy Drunken Doom". At the time it was a little hard to see them as serious contenders for any sort of Doom Throne because their image as a bunch of drunken Metal Heads.Man,have times changed because this album delivers the goods in every department.This is my kind of Doom Metal rock,they take all the best elements from the Maryland Doom Scene and mix it up with sounds ranging from Sabbath,Captain Beyond and other underground 70's proto Metal to guitar riffs and musical passages that remind me of early "Celtic Frost". Although there is nothing original about what they do,what they do is some infectious and full of so much groove.Its a real talent and strength to put together 7,9,10 and even 15 minute tracks and not once does it seem the tunes are long.They are structured with just the right amount of tempo and mood changes that nothing outstays its welcome.There is no low points to this release and highlights are plenty including "Another Black Day" that has one of the coolest mid-tempo headbanging sections heard in a long time."The Raven" and album closer "Rotten River" just reek of pure classic Doom with some unforgettable passages that are instantly accessible to mind of a Doom Metal fan like myself.Even the 15 minute "Vanitas" has so many twists and turns it never seems like 15 minutes has even passed by the end of this masterpiece.They released their first album "Lords Of Mercy" a couple of years back and while that was a good release,this really blows it out of the water.There is so many moods on here,reflective,aggression and even sometimes somber the arrangements are beautifully put together. This is engaging and convincing, thanks mostly to a mature songwriting and excellent production.Like i mentioned before most of this sounds like a Maryland Doom Act and bands like "Orodruin" and "Blood Farmers" spring to mind while listening to this but "Doomraiser" have got their place in the top of the Doom Metal pile and with a album as good as this it seems they will be there for a long time.Also i must mention this is available on a 2 LP set with bonus tracks.This is a essential purchase.

ed · Subject: Re: Doom/Stoner Reviews Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:00 pm

Ponamero Sundown, would you believe another awesome band from Sweden ! This bands debut album plays almost like a tribute to everything Stoner Rock has gave us over the last 15 years. Within the album's grooves you can hear traces of Kyuss, Spiritual Beggars, Dozer, Truckfighters, Fu Manchu, Color Haze, The Awesome Machine and early Nebula. So as you can worked out by now, there is not much in the way of originality here but they still dish up some major fuzz rock music and are really pretty diverse within the Stoner Rock genre considering the amount of ground they cover on this disc. The band has a obvious mid 90's sound while the production is beefed up into modern day standards. The tracks on all reek of different influence's , "Live The Lie" sounds a little like mid era "Kyuss", "Doctor Of Evil" sounds like classic "Dozer" and you can pick out influences on every other track on here. This would be unfair for me to do though because this band do what they do so well that if i make comparisons to other bands with every track if would sound like they are just pure copy cats and that they are not ! “Alcoholic Deathride” is one track that they seem to have their own thing going, this is the opening track on the CD and it kicks some serious ass. Even more so is the aggressive “Double You” which has so much angry Stoner groove, you just want to crank this mutha up to 11. "Hell Bent" and ''Curtain Call" are great tracks full of some powerful Stoner riffs but the later sounds has a section that sounds like a clear rip off of something. Maybe someone out there can tell me what it is, it has been driving me nuts thinking about it. Instrumentally the band know their stuff, great guitar work played with real passion and energy. The vocals are just right for the tunes, well balanced in the mix but nothing to get too excited about. They do the job well however and the the overall mood of the CD is one of driving in your hotted up car, even hotter chick beside you with beer and weed to share. The instrumental title track is a surprise here, it finishes the album in a softer fashion. Weird way to finish the album, i think it would have been more effective in the middle just to serve as some sort of interlude. If you fell in love with Stoner Rock in the early to mid 90's like i did, you will eat this up. However if you are looking for something unique or original within the context of a Stoner/Fuzz/Desert Rock band you might this a little too much on the familiar side of things. What they do have going for them is some killer catchy riffs and just enough diversity to make you want to listen right to the end. A couple of interesting points, this album got to number 2 on the Swedish hard rock chart and cracked the top 30 on the mainstream chart. I guess that shows you much more the Swedes love their hard rock compared to the USA. This is only their debut album so maybe they are just testing out their Stoner craft, the next album could be truly amazing. 8/10

www.myspace.com/ponamerosundown

http://www.ponamerosundown.com

ed · Subject: Re: Doom/Stoner Reviews Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:01 pm

Ol Scratch - the sunless citadel

Virginia’s Ol’ Scratch has had its fair share of line up changes over the years but this band seems to get better and better.The latest album proves that point more than anything else,this is a powerhouse monster of a recording that left pinned against the wall when i first heard it.Ever been to a live show where everything is so loud and heavy you felt like you wanted to vomit ?That's what this CD can do to you if you cranked it up,the bass sound on this is the driving force.I have to say its the best bass sound i have heard in years.Ol Scratch are know for being a loud band but on this album they pushed their sound to a new level of power especially in the bass department.The album kicks off a intro piece before unleashing some Sabbath inspired Sludge that pummels your brain in the form of a track called “Infernal Judgement”.This is like Buzzoven but with a even more viscous attack,i mention the bass sound before and i must warned you i hope your stereo can handle this.My sub-woofer shit itself not long after listening to this album,i am not blaming Ol Scratch for it but it wouldn't surprise me if they are ones that did the damage.While the bass sound is so thick,you have a guitar sound that compliments the bass perfectly.It cuts,slices and tears its way through most of the tracks while the bass simply bulldozer's its way through.Most of the riffs on this album combine two things,cranked to the max Sludge Metal and dirty Doomed Out Southern Rock.There hasn't been a album released this year so far in my opinion that combines these elements and manages to keep it interesting for a entire album.Tracks like “Draconian March and Bottom Basement” which blend together like most of the tracks do on this album have a filthy groove about them.Guitarists Steve and Willy trade licks and split up solo's with demented abandon and the vocals howl and growl.One thing that comes shining through is you can tell the guys have worked their butts off on this,slightly ambitious and a totally complete album.“Brink of the Maelstrom” is another major highlight,a twisted riff monster that leave you hitting the repeat button over and over again.There is also “Redneck Deity” where the band becomes slightly (shock-horror) a little catchy and heads more towards a Doomed out C.O.C sound.There is a couple of quieter moments where the band moves into Swamp-Blues Mood but they pull that off so well it just add another dimension to the album.The closing 17+ minutes of “Wizard Smoke and Goatbridge”,the band manages to combine everything the band has played on the album so far and construct into a epic piece of Sludge/Doom Heaven.It has the Electric Wizard drugged up riffage but also with some psychedelic breaks before ending with a wall of noise effect.There is also the Sludged Up Boogie of “Last Charge of a Dying Race”,yes the band covers a lot of ground on this album.If there is any weak point at all its the drum sound which seems to get buried a little at times under the monstrous bass sound.Normally that would hurt the rating but with the songs being so good and solid it doesn't affect the overall listening experience of this CD.Conclusion - this is my favorite CD of the year so far,a release so good that i don't know if this band will ever top it.Its out on Oppresive Sound System and the artwork and package is pretty damn good also.I hope everyone into Sludge and Doom check this mutha out.Essential.... 10/10

ed · Subject: Re: Doom/Stoner Reviews Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:02 pm

This is another band from Sweden,it seems every review i am doing at the moment is a Swedish band.You can't complain though when bands like Switchblade are just so good.I will put it this way,if you have been listening to bands like "Khanate" for so long you have become ammune to the heaviness then you must check out this band.The band has been flying under the radar for most people for years so it might be surprising to know that this is their fifth album and best but strangly self-titled album.This is one real ugly sounding album,bleak and often painful to the senses but so heavy at times its in danger of being crushed by its own sonic weight.Its not a album that you need to highlight certain tracks,it is better appreicated to be judge as a whole body of work.There is only three tracks on here taking up the best part of a hour and its a body of work that is bleak,dark and extremely abstract.Obivous comparrisions will point to Khanate and Earth but really this band can stand out on their own.I don't think any other band can touch them at the moment for avant-doom.Musically the band can move from ambient moments with whispering vocals to massive,bludgeoning sections with some frenzied shrieking vocals.The guitar and bass is thick and buzzing while the drumming is hammering but with a real feel for making the tracks even more dramatic.This is a band that understands the dynamics needed to make some rather uncomfortable doom-noise while still retaining enough arrangement skills to keep it interesting.

This record is a beast that makes no excuses for being absolutely monolithic and intense,this band plays from the gut.There is some insane vocal work to compilment the harrowing guitar work and the production is right up to the challenge.If you like music that builds to massive peaks and then takes you down to dark ambience only to bring you up to harrowing heights once again then check this out.I can't see how this band can follow this album,its a monster and one of the most intense doom albums ever made.Don't expect many if any traditional doom metal riffs or heavy metal style vocal techniques here,this is for the hardcore doom/sludge fan that can appreciate the abstract doom approach.Best listened to by yourself in a dark room,cranked to 10 but don't expect to get too cozy in your chair because this is one punishing album. 9.5/10

www.myspace.com/switchblade