Album Review: The Skull-For Which Those Are Asleep

For Those Which Are Asleep is the debut record for Doom Metal outfit The Skull and was released in 2015. The Skull mainly revolve around former Trouble members and performs large amounts of vintage Trouble material in their setlists. Finally they have released their debut record which I have been super excited to spin but is it worth the hype? Let’s find out.

Track Rundown

1.      Trapped Inside My Mind-Those Sludgy riffs are just what make classic Doom metal and this track deserves those heavy grooves times ten. Vocalist Eric Wagner has always had a very Ozzy voice but here he makes it more his own and actually gives it a darker overtone. That solo although short really packs a punch as well. Great heavy opener.

2.      The Touch Of Reality- Those sinister single note riffs really bring out that Sabbath worship as well. This album really keeps the classic Doom formula weirdly fresh and really appealing. I love the fuzzy wah in this song I think a little too much it is just so freakin heavy.

3.      Sick Of It All- This song starts out with sort of a Down feel with the heavy drums in the back its just super hazy. It is a bit softer but still retaining the Doom Metal aspect. Pretty decent song here. When it speeds up mid-way through I feel that’s when this song really gets rolling

4.      The Door- starting with some creepy piano and organ in the backround, it really gives this track a gothic kind of overtone. This is one of those tracks you just have to hear with headphones on in the dark. This is probably the most experimental track with pianos added in the back straying from the typical riff heavy Doom Metal.

5.      Send Judas Down- This song is a total hard rocker with the down tuned riffs dominating this track creating some awesome rhythm sections. I really like the kind of off key chorus it just makes it even heavier. The middle part where it softens a bit is really an interesting change of pace and then BOOM back into that killer chorus and probably my favorite solo on the record. Great song.

6.      A New Generation- This song is very Sabbathy and feels a lot like something off of their latest “13” record. It still sounds fresh however and I give a lot of artists kudos for taking an existing sound and making it their own. Pretty decent groovy track.

7.      Till The Sun Turns Black- This is a lot like “Hole In The Sky” especially in the main riff which really sticks out to me. I like the eerie verses as well. Its another riff heavy track with a killer solo. Simple formula but again it works.

8.      For Those Which Are Asleep- The title track begins with some psychedelic-esque acoustic guitars and it really builds with the hazy vocal lines and I eat songs like this up. It’s eerie, it’s heavy it is awesome.

9.      Sometime Yesterday Mourning- This song just defines heavy fuzzy guitar riffing. These riffs are some of my favorite that I have heard in awhile. I am not huge on the chorus it sounds a bit out of place but oh well not every song is perfect.

10.  The Last Judgment- This song weirdly reminds me of Metallica’s “Sad But True” but that was of course when the verse begin, it goes into that signature sound Trouble was known for. This is a good ending track because it doesn’t go on for too long and doesn’t try anything new. It is a rocking tune only these guys could go out with.

Overall, I give this record a 7 out of 10, it really is a throwback to vintage Trouble and I respect that. It sticks to the sound that was forged by the old guard of Doom while still staying fresh and new. Give 9it a try it’s a pretty good record to keep your Doom thirst quenched.