ALBUM REVIEW: Druid Lord - "Grotesque Offerings"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 19/01/2018

Label: Hells Headbangers Records

Fans of Hooded Menace, Serpentine Path and traditional Floridadeath metal like Obituary or Malevolent Creation can't go wrong here; this is a great example of the doom/death genre and surely one of the musically darkest albums you could pick to play out the winter.

“Grotesque Offerings” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). House of Gripping Gore

2). Night Gallery

3). Spells of the Necromancer

4). Evil That Haunts This Ground

5). Black Candle Séance

6). Creature Feature

7). Into The Crypts

8). Murderous Mr Hyde

9). Last Drop of Blood

10). Final Resting Place

The Review:

More doom/death of the darkest order from these dwellers of deepest... Florida. Darkness does indeed drip forth from opener “House of Dripping Gore”, but that is not to say that the likes of “Night Gallery” don't swing fairly mightily. In amongst these seven minute epics, there are some sprightly interludes (“Spells of the Necromancer”, “Into The Crypts”, “Final Resting Place”), but for the most part it is a sprawling and pitch black listen.

The song titles really do say it all here; “Evil That Haunts This Ground”, “Black Candle Séance”- deathly and doomy stuff. It is not without humour- “Creature Feature” is a fine and flighty song title and the lyrics fit nicely- but how much more black can the music be? The answer is, of course, none! The tracks across the record are mostly slow and creep forward with purpose- great riffs, some superb lead work and even guitar melodies here and there. There are changes of pace here and there- “Last Drop of Blood” is pretty fast and furious (and superb), but for the most part there is more doom than death here, I think.

Fans of Hooded Menace, Serpentine Path and traditional Florida death metal like Obituaryor Malevolent Creation can't go wrong here; this is a great example of the doom/death genre and surely one of the musically darkest albums you could pick to play out the winter.

“Grotesque Offerings” is available here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

RIFF REWIND (19/5/2014): Serpentine Path - "Emanations"

Serpentine Path circa 2014

“Emanations” was the sophomore album from NYC doom super group SERPENTINE PATH.  The band’s 2012 self-titled debut was a boldly grim statement of unforgiving misanthropy that referenced both the filthy riffs of Autopsy and the stoney doom of Sleep.  Now officially augmented by second guitarist Stephen Flam, the mastermind behind NYC doom/death legends Winter, SERPENTINE PATH were truly a heavy metal all-star team (the band also features current and former members of doom legends Electric Wizard, Unearthly Trance and Ramesses).  Sure, the pedigree is undeniable, but regardless of their ‘members of’ status, SERPENTINE PATH were one of the heaviest bands on the planet.  Although there is no word on the current status of the band, Unearthly Trancereformed and Tim Bagshaw formed With The Dead with former Cathedral front man Lee Dorian.  SERPENTINE PATH released a previously unreleased song called “Venom” on August 26, 2015 which is available via their bandcamp page, but today our focus is on their sophomore release “Emanations” as we rewind the riffs 3 years ago to the day and look back at this masterpiece of doom which was reviewed by Richard Maw on 19/5/2014.

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Release: 23/5/2014

Label: Relapse Records

It is with a great pleasure that I can say Serpentine Path have returned and consolidated the reputation built on the first album. This is an example of the genre done right- the essence of metal is here with all the horror and darkness you could wish for. Gripping and repulsive all at the same time.

“Emanations” CD//DD//LP tracklisting :

1). Essence of Heresy (03:48)

2). House of Worship (04:17)

3). Treacherous Waters (07:46)

4). Claws (07:31)

5). Disfigured Colossus (05:59)

6). Systematic Extinction (07:15)

7). Torment (08:25)

The Review:

Serpentine Path return with their second LP of hate filled doom/death. The band's pedigree (Electric Wizard, Ramesses et al) is well known, so let's cut to the music.

First off, this is destined to be one of the genre's greatest releases this year. It is an excellent record. From “Essence of Heresy” onwards, the record oozes menace and horror. The tempos are slow and the riffs suitably snaking, creeping forward with insistence.

“House of Worship” is slightly quicker with riffs/lead work that recalls the early 90's DM scene. Think Obituary, not Cannibal Corpse, though. “Treacherous Waters” ups the song length and downs the tempo to a crawl. The vocals are brutal, the drums slow, the riffs stellar. There is something very nasty about the vibe of the album- in that regard it carries on the work of the superb self-titled debut. Grim stuff, and compelling to listen to with it- the track has double bass drums, good riffs and progressions and that intangible extra quality of unpleasantness.

“Claws” has a lovely downtrodden and sinister guitar refrain in the intro as the song builds up the sense of dread and paranoia. Again, the deathly vibes are there along with the doom- not as overtly as Hooded Menace, say, but present all the same. This is doom, no doubt, but with a strong injection of the slower elements of death metal as well- and it makes the band unique.

“Disfigured Colossus” brings the band to the latter half of the album and it sounds as the title reads- massive, hulking and ugly. The track fits perfectly as a set up for “Systematic Extinction”. Seven minutes of pitch black darkness. The grooves created are head nodding, to say the least, and the overall effect is of a car crash happening in front of you in slow motion.

“Torment” finishes this doom colossus with well over eight minutes of iron-fisted spite. The song is a good example of what Serpentine Path are all about- unstoppable riffs and rhythms that just keep moving forward, crushing all in their path.

It is with a great pleasure that I can say Serpentine Path have returned and consolidated the reputation built on the first album. This is an example of the genre done right- the essence of metal is here with all the horror and darkness you could wish for. Gripping and repulsive all at the same time.

Band info: Facebook|| Bandcamp

ALBUM REVIEW: Unearthly Trance - "Stalking the Ghost"

By: Chris Bull

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 24/02/2017

Label: Relapse Records

“Stalking the Ghost” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Into the Spiral

2). Dream State Arsenal

3). Scythe

4). Famine

5). Lion Strength

6). Invisible Butchery

7). The Great Cauldron

8). In The Forest’s Keep

The Review:

There are few bands to which the phrase 'criminally underrated' is aptly applied as Unearthly Trance. Arguably spawning the 'blackened sludge/blackened doom' genres, they remain a hidden gem in extreme heavy music that only certain individuals appreciate.  7 years have passed since the superb 'V' with breaking up, 2 Serpentine Path albums, a few Howling Windreleases, a few other projects, a reunion, fatherhood, Thralldomreforming and releasing music coming in the meantime. The question that needed to be asked; will all this time dampen the creative fires that burn within the trident?

Fear not! As 'Into The Spiral', the album's premier track goes straight for the neck muscles with its pulsating, blackened groove, it's a superb start to the album and adds an element of optimism. 'Dream State Arsenal' is more about the gravity; crafting a ludicrously catchy, yet so crushingly heavy riff punctuated by Darren Verni's always exceptional drumming, it's a definite pick up point to where 'V' left off.  'Scythe' crawls like a venomous snake, before striking and infecting your blood stream with its glorious riffs and stop/start rhythm and I'm reminded a little of 2006's 'Electrocution' in stylistic delivery.

Anyone who has heard 'Famine' will know how thick and heavy the guitar sound is, with Ryan Lipynsky's unique riffs sounding apocalyptic yet crystal clear. I heard 'Lion Strength' on a YouTube video of UT playing live, to me it sounded like some of their earlier work...but on record, it's a natural progression from 'V', with Lipynsky providing both the throaty, melodic vocal passages, echoey whispers and his traditional gnarly growls. 'Invisible Butchery'starts with some atmospheric noise before the death growls bellow out like lava spewing from a cavernous volcano. It's the slowest song on the album and will please the doom heads with its subtle nods to Winterand Autopsy. The Penultimate track 'The Great Cauldon' is a 9 minute epic which sweeps through several genres, starting out with head swinging trad-metal and descending into blackened doom, albeit melodic and calculated. As the track travels along, it bares similarities to 'The Scum Is In Orbit' with Lipynsky's trademark croons and guitar solo near the song's conclusion. Excellent stuff. 'In The Forest’s Keep' is the final song and is more of an atmospheric outro than a full song with melancholic guitar passages played over a harsh rumbling before a sample is heard, with added delay over the top. It's a fitting finale to this beautifully crafted album.

To say I had been eagerly anticipating this album would be an enormous understatement; UT are one of my favourite bands and they have rarely, if ever, put a foot wrong along their path. Hopefully, this album will garner the attention and success they deserve. A triumphant return? That and then some.

“Stalking the Ghost” is available here

Band info:bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Nomadic Rituals - "Marking the Day"

By: Andre Almaraz

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 17/02/2017

Label: Independent

This is the heaviest thing I've heard in a while. Hopeless, ugly, vicious, and pissed off slabs of soul destroying death-doom is what we get here. This music makes me want to burn down my neighborhood and wallow in the remaining sludgy aftermath.

“Marking the Day” CD//DD track listing:

1). From Nothing

2). Expansion

3). Far From the Sun

4). Watching the Cycles

5). Narrow of the Light

6). Face Down in the Sea of Oblivion

The Review:

Nomadic Ritualsis a three piece band from Belfast, United Kingdom. This album is my first introduction to them and I am quite impressed. The new record is called "Marking the Day," and is scheduled to be released on February 17th, 2017.  The music captured here is for people who are into the dirtiest and raunchiest purveyors of sludgy, death-doom. Fans of Noothgrush, Indian, Serpentine Path, and Morbid Evilsshould definitely check this out immediately. The first track, "From Nothing," slowly eases the listener in and serves as a fitting introduction to what unfolds on the rest of the album's six unrelenting tracks, which ultimately clock in at a mammoth sixty minutes total running time.

The second track, "Expansion," has some nice chug and groove going on, and is slightly reminiscent of early Celtic Frost hooks. On the third track, "Far From the Sun," the song begins with a brief and extremely tasteful use of ultra low, Tibetan monk/gregorian chant style of clean vocals making this one a standout of the album for me. These vocals are very adequately executed and suits the band well to contrast and accent everything else, in my opinion. On track four, "Watching the Cycles," we are given a little room to breathe as this one is loaded with plenty of big chords left to ring out, hum, feedback, and fade away. The fifth track, "Narrowing of the Light," sees the band getting back to the land of chug. It has quite a bit of repetition and an almost mechanical and dissonant feel throughout most of it's eight minutes in length, which to my ears serves as a nod to the almighty Godflesh.

The sixth and final track, "Face Down in the Sea of Oblivion," is a true behemoth. It starts off with the return of those amazing clean vocals which we were teased with in track three, plus adds a velvety dream sequence drum and bass breakdown right before a slithering, harmonious guitar solo sweeps in to take the spotlight and usher in the end of the song. At fourteen and a half minutes, this is the grand finale that the entire preceding works have been preparing us for, to behold its gargantuan unravelling. It is our final journey into the everlasting darkness of the abyss.

All in all, I think this is a great album. The overall tone of the recording is massive and thunderous. The vocals range from being predominantly harsh and scornful to clean and ethereal in a couple of small doses. This is the heaviest thing I've heard in a while. Hopeless, ugly, vicious, and pissed off slabs of soul destroying death-doom is what we get here. This music makes me want to burn down my neighborhood and wallow in the remaining sludgy aftermath. The album is currently available for pre-sale on the artist's bandcamp page and I highly recommend you pick up a copy of this bad boy.

“Marking The Day” is available to preorder/buy here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

“11 is one Louder”: Cryptworm from New England Doom overlords Black Tomb picks his Top 5 sludge/doom albums

Hailing from New England, Black Tomb recently brought to the table their debut self titled release just in time for the Halloween season. Black Tomb are a band that brings the darkness out of you and your mind can’t help but get lost in powerful riffs drenched in the fumes of hatred and despair while the fuzz shakes your core and vibrates the cavity causing all vital organs to hit the floor with a splat, while you bang your head against the wall from sheer madness.

Their debut is certainly something very special, it is album you’ll want to play very very loud, with little regard to your own mental stability.  The band have virtually obliterated the doom scene this year with their scuzzed up tones, securing a deal with via Totem Cat Records in process, as well as slot on the upcoming Dreadfestin Leeds, England next year.

Today we asked Cryptworm from the band to turn his amp all the way up to 11 and choose his top 5 sludge doom albums in our weekly feature “11 is one Louder”. 

Acid Witch – “Stoned” (2010)

There's nothing better than punks playing doom. Unless it's punks playing death-doom with 80's horror keys behind it. There's nothing better than that. Every Acid Witch release is perfect - from the artwork, down to the maniacal witch laughter. This was the first album I heard by them and I was blown away that anyone could turn old school doom influences like Trouble and Witchfinder General into this very cohesive Frankenstein monster of death metal, doom, and punk rock. They continue to pull it off every time. Just like the heavy metal greats, they only take themselves as seriously as they need to, which leaves a lot of room for incredible Fastwaycovers and throwing spider webs into crowds.

Witchfinder General – “Death Penalty” (1982)

This record. This is one that changed my life when I was younger. There is zero fat on this record. Front to back, it's one of the best things I've ever listened to. The song writing is brilliant and the structure of the album kills as well. It's a wild ride of perfect NWOBHM and old school doom that reminds you just how important it is to keep your songs catchy. One of a kind.

 Serpentine Path – “Emanations” (2014)

The only downside to this record is that the serpent worshiping cult creatures on the cover aren't in the band. This thing drags you down from the very start with ruthless oppression. I love when an album just gets straight to the point like this one. Incredibly crushing tones are achieved and the vocals are mixed so well underneath those commanding riffs. One of the most menacing examples of sludge ridden doom.

Candlemass – “Nightfall” (1987)

One of the greatest things to ever happen... What can I say about Candlemass that hasn't already been said? 'Nightfall' is jam packed with epic hymns for the melancholy souls of doom. It makes you feel like you're trapped in the saddest Dungeons & Dragons campaign you could ever imagine.

Electric Wizard – “We Live” (2004)

The most obvious for last... I feel like not including Wizard on this list would be me trying too hard to come up with something different. To me, Wizardis to doom what Sabbathis to heavy metal. 'We Live' is dripping with hatred and despair. There's no phoning it in here. This is genuine discontent for the world. The haunting and repetitious leads just creep under your skin. They keep this record monumentally heavy and you can't forget a single part of it.

You can check out Black Tomb below and their album “Black Tomb”is available digitally here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook