BRETUS - The Shadow Over Innsmouth (Album Review)

I've been sitting on this potboiler for about three months now, keeping mum about it and it's been killing me. I wanted to hold off on talking about this album until there was a solid timetable for its release. Well, I still haven't seen an exact date for its release from Blood Rock Records, but the band said March, so that's close enough.

Bretus's new album is riffier and probably better than its predecessor, 'In Onirica' which I happened to like a great deal (two years ago this month I posted the review at this location). While the new album has lost some the prog appeal of the last one, it aligns more closely with throwback metal bands like Devil or Demon Eye, whose albums made the top three in my best of lists for 2013 and 2014 respectively, so you know I'm biased towards this kind of sound to begin with. But why wouldn't I be? This is exactly what I'm looking for: it's heavy, riffy, sounds like the kinds of albums I'd heard in my uncle's basement suite in the mid-80's and isn't alienatingly overproduced.

The first bit of info about the album I'll arm you with is that it's a concept album. As your inner Sherlock Holmes can surmise 'The Shadow Over Innsmouth' is about the seminal H.P. Lovecraft tale of the same name. The story is broken down here, quite well actually, with each song title breaking down the story in chronological order. Interestingly, I was in the middle of reading this story when the album was sent to me. Still am in fact because as a pure piece of writing, it's not one of Lovecraft's best. But the story resonates. It's about "otherness" and true alien-ness, and perhaps in a bout of self-awareness, Lovecraft turned the tables on himself, to see his xenophobia through the other side of the lens. Or maybe he was just trying to shock. None if which is here nor there really.

'The Shadow Over Innsmouth' is full with riffs the way a mother shark is full with shark babies. The crispest example is third track "Captain Obed Marsh". I put it on a podcast weeks ago and I still haven't gotten over this song. The whole first half of the album is a gallery of riffs, the Italian band puts on a clinic here.

On the second half of the album, the mood darkens considerably, starting with "The Oath of Dagon" as narrator Robert Olmstead runs into increasing danger. The atmosphere grows darker and increasingly frantic and claustrophobic. The listener loses some of "easy-listening" nature of those bright, memorable side one riffs on side two, but by then you're already knee deep in the story of the album and pulled along compulsively. That said, the darker side isn't without its thrills. "The Horrible Hunt" stands alone, musically with its cycle of almost black metal riffing, near thrash tempo and doom metal bridge. It's a tour de force.

If the idea of adapting Lovecraft's famous tale appeals to you, you should check out the 2001 film Dagon from director Stuart Gordon (the best interpreter of Lovecraft's stories). It's a loose adaptation of "The Shadow Over Innsmouth" that plays a bit like Night of the Living Dead with horribly deformed fish people in the place of zombies. I recommend it as highly as I do this album.

It was incredibly difficult not to put this album in my top 2014 list, but I wanted to play by the rules, this album being destined for a 2015 release, it didn't belong on a 2014 list. But I can tell you right now, that this album is best of 2015 list bound. Three months after first hearing it, I haven't stopped listening to it and I'm sure that this album will take its place among the two albums mentioned above along with Magister Templi's 'Lucifer Leviathan Logos' as timeless metal albums that will never grow old.

Rating: ««««½ / 5

Bretus on facebook

QUEEN CRESCENT - Self-Titled (Album Review)

This is great stuff.

Queen Crescent is an all woman band from the Bay Area of California who make heavy, dark and punky stoner doom rock with flute. Comparisons will be made to Blood Ceremony and maybe even Jethro Tull, but should be avoided. These ladies do their own thing, and that thing is spectacular. These heavy ladies will also be lumped in with the occult rock label and there's some truth to that if you look at the song "Majic Moonjynuh", but this album is no more occult related than any other rock n roll album to emerge since Bill Haley & the Comets told the world what time it is.

Main vocalist Andrea Genevieve automatically brings to mind Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, especially on the album's best song, "Culture Vulture". But we're only talking tone of voice here, because she's singing from a low register. As far as what's going on musically, Queen Crescent are in a class of their own. It's hard to imagine flute as a blunt object for instance. It's used almost as a percussion instrument in this standout track, but if it can be done flautist / vocalist Melissa Vu will find a way to do it.

Flute is a huge part of what shapes Queen Crescent's sound, it's treated as a lead instrument. This allows the incredibly low-tuned guitars to slide under the radar and hit the listener on an almost subconscious level. This is what gives the music its dark and mysterious overtone. Some might hear it and read the sound as "occult", but what they're hearing is the contrast that springs from the interplay. The light tones of the flute, playing a darkened melody with that basso rumble underneath has a somewhat hypnotic effect. The musical mysticism expressed on this album is more attuned to the true magical experience of psychedelics than the often overblown imagery of the stirring of cauldrons and the riding of broomsticks.

What really matters is the music itself and this 7-song, 33-minute debut is potent stuff. Powerful vocals, solid melodies, heavy riffs and killer flute are all driven along at a solid pace from the back end by drummer Amy Martinez. You get an easy sense of the tongue-in-cheek sensibilities of the band with song titles like the above-mentioned "Majic Moonjynuh" and the short warm-up of "In the Court of the Crescent Queen". Also, any outfit that gives a respectful nod to the iron-fisted musical gymnastics of Mr. Fripp and company are alright in my book.

Rating: ««««½ / 5

You can find out more about this hard-working, up-and-coming band at the following links:

Queen Crescent official website
Queen Crescent on bandcamp
Queen Crescent on facebook
Queen Crescent on twitter
Queen Crescent on instagram

'Queen Crescent' is now available on LP and digitally. Check out the album on the player below

SATURNALIA TEMPLE - To The Other (Album Review)

Cover artwork by Manuel Tinnemans & Michael Idehall.

Saturnalia Temple first caught my attention when I heard the delay-beset title track from their 'Aion of Drakon'. I've been mildly obsessed with the album ever since. It's such a unique sounding song and really the whole record is like that. It's only later you find out the band doesn't play "shows", they play "rituals" and that they take their noggin-exploding quite seriously. It only makes their efforts all the more impressive: it's one thing to stumble upon a unique and awesome sound, it's another to make a conscious effort to reach for the moon and scrape blue cheese dust off your fingertips when you're done.

Saturnalia Temple has returned with their second full-length album. The first thing I noticed is that it's not as experimental as 'Aion ...' which gives 'To The Other' a more streamlined and focused feel. Maybe it's because of the absence of the delay effect on the vocals, which has been a staple of the band. It really makes things disorienting, in a good way, and lends the music the elan of a sleazy drug trip. I didn't notice any vocal effects at all on this record, and it gives things a cleaned-up feel.

If you haven't heard Saturnalia Temple in a while you forget just how heavy they are, this album will remind you. Despite any streamlining, their distinctive blending of expansive space rock adornments with evil vibes and void-black riffs ensures they remain one of the more memorable bands from Stockholm or anywhere else on the planet. The closest to 'Aion ...' the band ventures is album closer "Void", which makes smart use of delay and repeat effects to bring the spookiness to cacophonous levels.

They don't put releases out one after another, this is just the band's second full-length album in nearly 10 years of existence and first in four years, but when they speak I listen. Saturnalia Temple isn't the kind of band to waste even a second of their record or your time, if they do something you better believe it's to achieve a particular effect. They can have such tight control over their output and still sound wild and free ... and that can be a double edged sword.

I'm not sure exactly how the album was recorded, but it doesn't feel like it was recorded live with everybody all jamming in the same room. It just doesn't have the loose, improvisational feel of earlier recordings. Main man Tommie and full-time bassist Peter are aided and abetted on 'To The Other' by American drummer Tim Call of the black metal band The Howling Wind and funeral doom band Aldebaran among others. He's a prolific recording artist in his own right having drummed on well over a half dozen records from different bands in the past couple years. He also played with Saturnalia Temple on their brief American excursion in 2013. One thing is clear, when you compare 'To The Other' to their original 'Ur' demo, you hear immediately how far this band has come.

But, it's hard to say a more polished-sounding Saturnalia Temple is a better Saturnalia Temple, and yet 'To The Other' is still a terrific album.

I'm skeptical of anything released in the first quarter or even half of the year ending up on year end lists because music people have the memory of goldfish. That's not a harsh criticism, art is inherently disposable, it's more ephemeral than clothing for example, and less utilitarian. But I'd still be surprised if this album didn't end up on more than just a couple year end lists.

'To The Other' is available to order right now at the links provided below, and will begin shipping out tomorrow, February 23.

Rating: ««««½ / 5

Saturnalia Temple facebook page

Official website

Order the album:

The Ajna Offensive (North America)
Listenable Records (Europe)

MISTY GREY - Grey Mist (Album Review)

This is throwback music best described 

in terms of an evolutionary throwback animal.

Wait a minute! Don't hang up that phone. The voice you hear on the other end is bizarre and confusing. It's hard to incorporate because it's so unconventional, but that doesn't mean it ought to be rejected outright. I'm telling you this for your own good, because that helium-infused voice you hear belongs to a witch and a witch scorned becomes a feast of shit for your life. If you turn your back now to the Misty Grey it will come back to haunt you.

I understand why you want to run in the opposite direction, believe me. I've been there. We've all been to a haunted place like this, a crossroads between worlds. I had the same initial reaction, but trust me it'll go better for you if you don't resist.

Encountering Misty Grey for the first time is to first encounter the opposite sex. It's a frustrating challenge but the sooner you fight through the initial bouts of loathing, the sooner you'll realize that there are tantalizing mysteries behind the surface. To encounter Misty Grey is to encounter "the other", and we know enough now not to reject something out of hand because it is different from the norm. When you fight through the dread, you will understand the pleasures inherent in such "difference". To reject Misty Grey is to fear the unknown and to fear the unknown is to lie to oneself, because underneath it all, originality is the currency of art and art is truth.

The vocals will challenge you as they challenged me. I was able to see past the illusion and I saw the witch behind it, that is my great fortune. Now I've joined the Misty Grey witch cult.

Go with your gut, go with that initial reactions that was ready to go to war with the band when you first heard the heavy riffs. You haven't heard riffs this raw since Pentagram. Imagine or remember what the reaction was when people first heard Saint Vitus or Trouble or Cirith Ungoll or Kyuss. These are bands you and I might take for granted today, but they all feature vocalists not even their Grandmas could love. Remember that over time, people came to think even pugs were cute. Pugs!

Initially pugs were palace guard dogs in China. Roughly the size of a Saint Bernard, twice as mean as a Pit Bull, and uglier than hell. 'Grey Mist' is really no different. This is throwback music best described in terms of an evolutionary throwback animal. The vocals will make you feel uncomfortable and uncertain, but there's no mistaking the music. The overall effect is akin to the uncanny valley experienced when we see near-human automata. It's almost right, but there's just something a little off about it. I guarantee you after the second listen you won't even remember what you thought was so weird about it in the first place. But that might just be the witch hypnotizing you. Either way you won't care, you'll be happy. It's okay, you can go ahead and trust me on this. Now ... join us!

Rating: ««««« / 5

Misty Grey facebook

'Grey Mist' is currently available to download on the player below. Shadow Kingdom Records will soon release a cassette version of the album, followed by a CD version.

Shadow Kingdom Records webstore

EVIL SPIRIT - Cauldron Messiah (Album Review)

The pendulum is a torture device in which a thick blade is suspended and swings in a wide arc across the midsection of a victim until the body is halved. It was immortalized by Edgar Allen Poe in “The Pit and the Pendulum”, later adapted by filmmaker Stuart Gordon, arguably the foremost interpreter of the works of H.P. Lovecraft and Poe.

I know Horror Records as the home of Abysmal Grief. They're one of those bands that I binge listen to. They've had releases from other bands I've reviewed and liked, such as Black Oath and Anima Morte for example, but everything else from the label has been tertiary to me ... until I saw this album come up on my bandcamp feed. It's by a band with the ominous name of Evil Spirit. "Okay, I'm listening ..." Their album is called 'Cauldron Messiah'. "You still haven't lost me yet". Then I saw the album cover. "Alright, time to press play". There was only one song up at the time, "Grey Ashes of the Reptile" a razor sharp pendulum of blackened doom (it's since been joined by the title track). It was up for free download so I grabbed it immediately and pondered over the file's contents with hand resting thoughtfully on my (then bearded) chin. Then I waited.

And waited.

And so on. There were delays, the full album didn't go up on the scheduled date. I finally got my grubby mitts on it and the wait was worth it. While waiting I pondered the remaining empty spaces of the album and imagined what they may contain, the ultimate result, that shrouded entity that scientists have classified as 'Cauldron Messiah', was everything I imagined it to be, though not at first.

"Grey Ashes ..." primes a listener's expectations for doom metal. It's a great song, the first five slow-building minutes are doomy, creeping-through-the-musty-old-house-searching-for-the-vampire's-coffin-with-stake-in-clammy-hand music. The closing section of the song is that raucous moment when the creature awakes and the hunter becomes the hunted. It's bloody, it's messy and that sort of thing can be enjoyable in small doses.

The opening song (and short introduction before it) sets the atmosphere to "dense fog of dread". When the next song, "Eve of the Beholder" rolls in, it upsets the atmospheric balance, completely changing how I heard the album over the course of the next handful of listens. It's a quick two minute blast of death metal which re-primes the ear. It's a jarring sequence to say the least. I didn't realize how thoroughly doomy the next two tracks, "Let the Dragon Be My Guide" and "Reino Sangrento" are. Though they are both nearly eight minutes long, their collective mood is eclipsed by the two-minute "Eve ...". Then, just as the ear is re-adjusted, the last half of (also two-minute long) "Push Angie Back Into the Swamp" throws another blast beat at the listener.

It took me quite a few listens to get there but I see how the native language of this album is doom metal. The riffs are blackened in the style of another of my favorite bands, Head of the Demon which this album slightly reminds me of and the blast beats are few and far between. When they do appear, they leave a truly long-lasting impression on the atmosphere of the album, for better or worse. Those tempestuous moments increase tension, and the tension heightens the atmosphere of the album's doomy moments.

'Cauldron Messiah' is steeped in enough tomb-like horrific atmosphere that it could easily qualify for a Horrible Nights post. It's for this reason that I find myself fascinated by this album. I'm drawn to it repeatedly and there's no signs of slowing down yet, the pendulum arcs ever downward.

Rating: ««««½ / 5

Evil Spirit facebook

'Cauldron Messiah' is available on LP and cassette on the Horror Records bandcamp page and from their own webshop

Horror Records webpage

SARDONIS - Split with Drums Are For Parades

SardoniS is one of the best instrumental bands out there, I've been a fan for a little while now. They describe themselves as a "two man battalion playing instrumental mayhem" and that shows through on this record. Near as I can tell this LP is one of a series of split albums called The Abyss Stares Back released by Hypertension Records. But don't quote me on that. I haven't heard the other side of this split and I got these three songs through SardoniS's bandcamp page. I'd like to hear the Drums Are For Parades side but I haven't managed to track it down just yet. This side of the record finds SardoniS freebooting high tempos through devil-may-care experimentation. I listen to these three songs and I can't help but think "these guys are swashbuckling". I'm struck by the confidence of the band as they breeze through some fairly tight spots. I'm hearing a band having fun. They remain a high point in heavy instrumental music and I'll continue to support what they do for a long time to come.

ALUCARDA - Raw Howls

Alucarda are a rare bird. Equal parts punk and doom, as quick to throw a fist in the face as have a long lonesome walk, I like this. I liked their 4-song demo too. In my review I called it "full frontal doom punk & roll.  [Alucarda] splits their time ... sprinting through uptempo numbers like a wet dog shaking the sleaze off and getting it all over everybody and casting demonic spells of doom to possess listeners with evil sounding riffs". Once, I was wordier. Their new 7-song, 34-minute album is released on cassette specialty label, Smokedd Productions as a NAME-YOUR-PRICE digital download. Indications are that a cassette versions will be available April 1. Once again, these guys are cool, the sound here is not entirely unlike Satan's Satyrs, which has all the kids buzzing at the moment. Actually, I have no idea what the kids are on about these days, but they ought to be buzzing about Alucarda, their music is raw fury.

THE WHOREHOUSE MASSACRE - Always Has and Never Has Been

The Whorehouse Massacre has returned with five new songs and 26 minutes of filthy sludge metal. This is excellent stuff. Crashes rain down upon the listener, knocking your head up and down beyond your control. This somewhat mysterious two-man band locks into a relentless groove not entirely unlike a Dopefight, Soyuz Bear or even In The Company of Serpents. They're somewhat mysterious because like Brant Bjork I want to ask "where you from, man?" It's hard to say but for pride's sake I'll consider them Canadian. For those unfamiliar with the band, the vocals are rough-hewn but not obnoxious, it's one of those instances where (slightly) growlier vocals actual match or even enhance the music. I've long been a fan of this underrated band, but I'll leave with a warning to audiophiles: this recording has a lo-fi edge to it, which again enhances the experience for me, but may leave others cold. Their loss.

BARRABAS - Messe Pour Un Chien

Cover artwork by Benjamin Moreau.

Still playing catch-up from last year. French sludge mavens Barrabas had a full-length out this past November, which nearly passed by me. I'm going to assume that there are still some stragglers out there, so this one's for you. This album isn't quite what I was expecting. The way I remember it, their last album 'Libérez Barrabas!' was as a muddy punch in the teeth from a slope-browed opportunist. 'Messe Pour Un Chien' is a lean finesse fighter ... uhh ... punching you in the teeth. What I mean to say is, Barrabas is less the macho metal band here and more wizened heavy melodic rockers. Sure, you get your money's worth of snarl and growl, but the emphasis is on dynamic song craft. This isn't what I was expecting, but damn if it doesn't showcase an accomplished band enjoying themselves.

THE LUNAR ERA - Red River Black Moon

Another great two song extended play single is by Maine trio The Lunar Era. Psyched-out doomy jams are the order of the day here. It's hard to imagine this FREE DOWNLOAD not catching on. I'd hate to think of the kind of people who wouldn't like this. These young dudes are juuuust stepping out into the spotlight, but it won't be long before they catch on in a big way. First track "Red River" is impressive. It slow cooks to a punkish boil. I've included the second song "Black Moon" on a podcast which I'll upload later, maybe have it up by morning.

Lunar Era's facebook page

PESTA - Here She Comes

Found this on the bandcamp feed last night from Citiesonflame, who has a great collection you should check out and "follow". Pesta is heavy stoner in the Sleep mold. This four song debut EP displays a style that is both uptempo and laidback. I know that probably sounds stupid but the vocalist has a relaxed atmosphere which belies the energy of the band behind him. It's a solid game plan and is used to good effect here. The album cover is going to make you think it's a death or black metal album but it's only heavy rock n roll and I, for one, like it. It's up as a PAY-WHAT-YOU-WANT download and I'm sure you're not going to want to miss out on it.

JUST THE FACTS (according to the band's facebook page):
Founded on March 2014

Genre: Stoner/Doom Metal

Band Members
Anderson Vaca (baixo)
Thiago Cruz (Vocal)
Daniel Rocha (guitarra)
Rodrigo Buzelin (bateria)

Hometown: Belo Horizonte

Short Description
Banda Pesta
Stoner/Doom Metal
Belo Horizonte/MG

Artists We Also Like
Black Sabbath
Cathedral
Sleep
Kyuss
Pentagram

Email
bandapesta@gmail.com

Website
https://soundcloud.com/pesta-2

JUST THE MUSIC:

SOYUZ BEAR - Demo MMXV

Stumbled across this one the other day in a tag search. Soyuz Bear are ferocious, throwing waves of great riffs at you, then turning the heat up with sudden accelerations of tempo. The vocals will be the sticking point for some, because their filthy growl is an acquired taste, but they add to the ferocity. The sound here is not entirely unlike French Canadian counterparts Dopethrone, Finnish band Demonic Death Judge or UK band Bong Goblin. Again, the main point of focus is on the excellent riffs. I've mentioned it over and over in the past that I don't typically go in for these death or black metal style of vocals, but if the riffs are good enough, I won't be able to deny the band. This is another of those rare cases. It's well worth taking a peek into as it's a PAY-WHAT-YOU-WANT download. It should also be mentioned that the sound is great, 'Demo MMXV' is well-recorded despite being labelled a demo.

Soyuz Bear facebook

LORD OF DOUBTS - Into the Occult

So here's how "out of the loop" I've been. It turns out that Russian Doom legends Lord of Doubts have dissolved / disbanded and they've left us with a final will and testament in the form of this album. I only found out about it when chatting with a friend online. At this point, the album is available as on cassette at this location. It's not clear to me that the tape comes with a download code but if you order the cassette and message the band on their facebook page, or maybe through their bandcamp page's contact form, they will send you a link. According to the band the full album will be available in mp3, FLAC, etc. on bandcamp at some point, but for now there are two songs up. Opening track "The Magus" and a second track titled "The Serpent Prophecy" are FREE DOWNLOADS. The full 'Into the Occult' album is 8 songs long and I can't wait to hear the rest of it.

AT THE GRAVES - Golem / Heavy Ether

Cover artwork by Sarah Kimble.

At the Graves, a one-man doom metal project from Bawlmer. It's not your typical doom metal and nothing comes immediately to mind that it distinctly reminds me of. This is what I love about the one-man projects, it captures an intensely personal form of expression, like peeking in through the crack of a bedroom door. Whether it be Leviathan, Xasthur, Jandek or even Maze of Roots who was showcased here earlier this week, voyeurism must be admitted to play a role in the enjoyment of it. But At the Graves is less about "outsider art" and more about alchemy, combining elements to create a previously unseen substance, at least that how this two-song EP plays in these ears. It's up on bandcamp as a PAY-WHAT-YOU-WANT download and is well worth checking out. If you take a close look at the awesome cover artwork you'll see that an otherwise beautiful moment has been de-saturated and manipulated to convey something chaotic and dark. In the world of At the Graves the familiar becomes confusing, possibly even frightening.

UHNA - Demo 2014

Found this one on my good buds The Sludgelord site.

(TANGENT: If you missed it, I'll be helping out with The Sludgelord News during the week to give the guys there a bit of a break. It's a one stop shop for your sludge related news. The first edition of Daily Digest went up yesterday if you want to check it out.)

Back to the matter at hand, Uhna. Terrific band. They're from Sweden and they go in for the thick low bottom sound favored by bands like Salem's Pot and Mammoth Storm, but do it with a more melodic touch. When I first streamed the demo here I was braced for death or black metal vocals to ruin the experience. The first song finished playing, it was an instrumental. Tension mounted. The second song kicked in even heavier and more brutal than the first and now the tension was near the breaking point. Well, no problem after all. The vocals are forceful but clean and good, nothing fake, affected, put-on or pretentious about them. This was a good find, and now Uhna is officially on my "ones to watch" list moving forward. Speaking of which, whatever happened to MARA? They're at or near the top of my watch list here. If you're reading this MARA, I hope you guys are okay. Give us a shout, let us know what you've been up to. Anyway, Uhna, take a listen, you're gonna dig it:

SARIN - The Burial Dream

From the CDC website:

• Sarin is a human-made chemical warfare agent classified as a nerve agent. Nerve agents are the most toxic and rapidly acting of the known chemical warfare agents. They are similar to certain kinds of insecticides (insect killers) called organophosphates in terms of how they work and what kind of harmful effects they cause. However, nerve agents are much more potent than organophosphate pesticides. 
• Sarin originally was developed in 1938 in Germany as a pesticide. 
• Sarin is a clear, colorless, and tasteless liquid that has no odor in its pure form. However, sarin can evaporate into a vapor (gas) and spread into the environment. 

This is good rainy afternoon music. I can also see it being a good soundtrack for a warm night downtown, but we're not even close to being there yet so I'll stick with my first thought for now. This has got a lot of post-metal elements, which I usually don't go in for, but something about this Canadian band appealed to me. Their sludgier moments are excellent. On March 20 of this year it will be twenty years to the day of the Japanese Sarin gas attack. Stay tuned to the Everyday Strange features for a look at that. People are nuts, Sarin the band, reflects that in a contemplative way. I should point out here that the 7-track record comes with 3 bonus alternate versions of the ambient/drone interludes (which isn't entirely unlike Serpentine Tunnels), all of which I like.

ИЛ - Чёрная Топь

Russian doom / sludge band ИЛ or Ooze released their second album on bandcamp the day after Christmas. The album title 'Чёрная Топь' translates as 'Black Swamp' which is accurate. The sound here is thick, mired in bleakness, aggressive and remorseless, not entirely unlike countrymen Lord of Doubts or Swedish occult ritual doomsters Saturnalia Temple. This is what I consider to be classic, timeless doom that will sound as satisfying to doom fans 10 or 20 years from as it does today. There's just one snag here. It seems the band hasn't set up their paypal account properly and so you can't buy the album. Only one song, "Холм" is available for free download, so for now at least, this is a stream only affair. The good news is, what with the sound here being timeless and all, Ooze's self-titled debut is still available for FREE DOWNLOAD, so you can play catch-up like I did.

MAZE OF ROOTS - Two Chapters

Maze of Roots is one of my favorite doom "bands".  They aren't talked about very often and that's partially my fault. I could do more to spread the word. Part of it though, is that the "band" doesn't go around making a big deal of itself. "They" are the definition of low key. Low key and low-tuned.

I use quotations here because Maze of Roots is mostly the work of one guy from Finland, but lately he's been drafting in drummers to help him. The self-titled album and 'Earthen Castle' EP's were two of the first doom albums I found on bandcamp and they were basically, exactly what I was looking for. Maze of Roots is unrelenting, unapologetic doom. Slow, heavy riffs in the devil's third structure, tortured and pleading but otherwise clean vocals and a foggy atmosphere. 'Two Chapters' features six songs for a total of 53 minutes, with three songs each recorded in two different sessions with two different drummers.

Now, because I was basically without internet for about seven months in the middle of last year, I missed out on a ton of great albums and other odds and ends from some of my favorite bands that didn't get as much insistent hype as say Yob's new album. I suspect I will catching up for some time. Mountain Witch's "Snake Wand (vocal version)" single was one of them, Woodrue's 'Gas Huffer' EP was one, Giza's 'I am the ocean I am the Sea' album was one, and 'Two Chapters' was yet another. You can stream it on the player below, but it's not available to download on bandcamp. There are still some cassette tapes available at this location and this one. If you want a CDR the wolf group of the Finnish Nature League has a few copies available for €10 plus €5 for shipping (to Canada) and proceeds go to a worthy cause.

Either way, Maze of Roots has some incredible doom on display, 'Two Chapters' is just as good as a fan can hope. For those unfamiliar with the sound, it's not entirely unlike Moss or even Cult of Occult. As always I consider Maze of Roots to be HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

KOZA - Koza E.P.

This one's been out since last summer, but I only just came across it. Koza plays some greasy riffs with filthy vocals. The combination creates a slick style of sludge rock that's impossible to deny. The pace here moves from strut mode to exhilarating, one constant throughout, however is the desire to headnod / headbang. Koza draws inspiration from all over the musical map to create something unique while remaining indisputably 'metal'. Hip-Hop, and middle eastern touches (dare I say Mesopotamian (see cover)) sit side by side with Iommian riffs and hardcore swagger. The 8 songs on this EP feel expansive even though they're short, Koza can find breathing room in a tight, two-minute space by manipulating time signatures. The total run time is 24 minutes, but it feels like a whole meal.

GRISTNAM - Even Less

haarp was one of the most interesting and often challenging metal bands I've heard in the last couple years. They're gone now but from the ashes comes Gristnam, which features members of both haarp and the former Omean, whom I'd never heard before. 'Even Less' is a vinyl collection of Gristnam's first two EP's unpretentiously titled 'release1' and 'release2' (see players below). The first one came out in 2013 and completely flew past me, I'd never even heard of it. The second EP just came out a couple days ago. Where haarp were mad scientists with Frankenstein's monster song structures and hairpin turns often ranging compositions past the 8 minute mark, Gristnam plays the role of the snatch-and-grab thief. 'Even Less' is made up of a total of 11 songs but fails to reach the half hour mark and none of the songs reach a full three and a half minutes. They make their point, forcefully and without apologies then get out before the ambulance arrives. This is metal very much of the Louisiana spirit, no subgenre labels on this one, they throw a lot of different looks at you, but this is just metal. Good metal. You can find both EP's on bandcamp by clicking through the links on the players below. If you want it on vinyl, pick it up here.