"Excalibur" is going to win over a lot of classic doom fanatics. Iron Void should be on the radar of the scene for a revivalism that it owns wholly and proudly.
“Excalibur” CS//CD//DD//LP track listing:
1). Dragon’s Breath
2). The Coming of a King
3). Lancelot of the Lake
4). Forbidden Love
5). Enemy Within
6). The Grail Quest
7). A Dream to Some, A Nightmare to Others
8). The Death of Arthur
9). Avalon
The Review:
Veteran doom peddlers Iron Void have had plenty of fits and starts over their career. After forming in 1998, the band disbanded for a decade before roaring back with a vengeance, dropping 2010's "Spell of Ruin," 2014's "Iron Void" and "Doomsday" in 2015. Now at their creative peak, Shadow KingdomRecords will issue the European vinyl of "Excalibur," Iron Void'sArthurian themed nine-song release tracking at just over 45 minutes.
Vinyl has been the financial shot in the arm to the music industry that few ever expected to make the comeback it has. Partially such success can be credited to bands like Iron Void. "Excalibur" offers rich, earthy sonics that seem made for wax. As the LP kicks off with "Dragon's Breath,"Iron Voidis inescapably catchy as it is dense. The band is also deceptively elegant in how its songs are constructed; the Sabbathesque "The Coming of A King" boasts a holistic duty to the story it's telling, while not breaking the power of the song itself, its guitar or rhythm section. Thus, lyrics inject themselves into just the right points, while not interfering with the structure of the cut. You hear similar instances on "Forbidden Love" as well.
Those who love fantasy in metal are going to appreciate the story immensely. Without spoiling anything, just know that Iron Void set out and succeed at telling an effecting tale. The vocals throughout are quintessential doom and even transcendent at turns. As the album builds, it is impossible not to be swept up in how massive the sound comes across.
In addition, what doom and sludge devotees may most appreciate with "Excalibur" is its fidelity to providing a new varnish to classic doom in the vein of Saint Vitus, Pentagramand the like. As you know, there's been a major renaissance in the old-school sound of black metal and death metal, hastened surely by the number of derivative bands in more modern takes on these subgenres. Doom, stoner and sludge undoubtedly have these bands as well – The Sword may have been the most popular and prescient of the revamp – and Iron Void stakes its flag admirably. Even songs like "Enemy Within," with clear influences from "Electric Funeral," feel rejuvenated and original. Iron Void deserve a lot of credit for having the courage to make an album that is inevitably going to draw tons of comparisons, yet doing so in a way that feels like a modern makeover of doom metal. Steve Wilson's riffs are heavy, Iron Void's lyrical themes are solidly mystical and medieval, and its ultra-thick drums by Richard Maw and bass by Jonathan "Sealey" Seale compose a ridiculously good foundation for it all.
"Excalibur" is going to win over a lot of classic doom fanatics. Iron Void should be on the radar of the scene for a revivalism that it owns wholly and proudly.
The riffs are infectious, the grooves hit you right in the gut and their well written songs are accentuated by climatic dynamics and impassioned performances by all members of the band.Witchcryer have created something really quite special on “Cry Witch”, a debut surely worthy of addition to the doom metal cannon.
“Cry Witch” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1). Cry Witch
2). Ricochet
3). The Preying Kind
4). Ma Kali
5). Embryo (Instructions)
6). Great Divide
7). For The Slaves
8). Witchfinder General (Witchfinder General Cover)
9). Lapis Philosophorum
The Review:
Do you like fat, fuzz soaked guitar tones? What about heavy, blues based riffs with a gloomy, vintage vibe? A singer who belts raspy, darkly melodic vocals about witches, vengeance and fighting systematic oppression? Well if you are reading THE SLUDGELORD, there is a pretty decent chance that you are here largely to find more bands that do exactly what was just described above. If that’s you, then “Cry Witch”, the debut album by Austin based doom quarter Witchcryer, does not disappoint.
Witchcryer play a form of classic doom metal revival that owes its biggest musical debt to the bands that played doom before there was a name for it (Witchfinder General, Black Sabbath, Pentagram). Their chosen musical territory is far from uncharted by its very definition, but Witchcryerplay it with so much fire that it feels fresh regardless. The riffs are infectious, the grooves hit you right in the gut and their well written songs are accentuated by climatic dynamics and impassioned performances by all members of the band. Some highlights include brooding, psychedelic track “The Preying Kind” and the vicious, gravely stomper “For The Slaves”, but the album’s finest moment is unquestioningly its the thunderous title track. Somewhat reminiscent of early The Obsessed, “Cry Witch” is a hard-hitting doom metal track at its finest, with just enough punk rock muscle to give it its needed edge. Its main riff is also an earlier contender for the best metal riff of 2018.
“Cry Witch” is the band’s first and only release following a three-track demo titled “The Preying Kind — Demo MMXVI” from 2016. While those familiar with their demo will recognize Witchcryer’s ear for great riffs and knack for organic dynamic changes (as well new recordings of all three tracks), overall “Cry Witch” demonstrates significant growth for the band. They have grown much tighter and more confident as a unit (some of which may be due to the recent inclusion of their bassist, Marilyn) and have created something really quite special on “Cry Witch”, a debut surely worthy of addition to the doom metal cannon.
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