Review- Witchy-S/t

Doom metal to me has always been extremely fascinating as a genre. Specifically, like a lot of black metal, how much really cult stuff there is out there. Groups like Paul Chain, Force and others really hit the nail on the head for being some of the best doom for how strange and different they are. Today's group Witchy really channels that cult energy in their new demo out on Temple of Mystery Records.

Opening with ominous vintage organs of "Wicca" the atmosphere here is set just right giving you the feeling of being trapped in a dark ominous cellar. This leads into "A Flame A Soul" which channels a lot of vintage pentagram and vocals ripped straight from a mid 80's saint vitus album. The song is very simple yet effective as the production really gives a vintage feel with the haunting and alluring vocals. "Death of A Witch" has a lot of good bass heavy riffs and has more of a gallop to it than the last song and is yet again, simple yet effective. Finally, "The Purple Veil" ends this nice sampler with some good mid paced traditional doom grooves. There is even a bit of psychedelia that plays in this track. 

Overall, this is a fun demo that has some nice dark traditional doom done in a very convincing way. I would love to see a full length come from this duo eventually as they have a simple formula but know how to play into it with catchy simple heavy songs. You can grab this cassette over at the bands bandcamp page. However, there are very few remaining copies so act fast!

Album Review: Cirith Ungol- Forever Black

If someone told me in 2015 that Cirith Ungol would return, stronger than they have ever been, I think I would have laughed in their face. Truth be told this is one of the bands that I figured would never make a return. However, in 2016, they reunited for the first Frost and Fire fest. Next they slowly were headlining fests all around the world, released a new strong single and finally, after 29 years, we have "Forever Black". With this album, the almighty Ungol brings back their weird yet unique style of proto epic doom and it is glorious.

Opening with the quick "The Call" the band launches into the barnstorming "Legions Arise" which just begs to be played live. Tim Baker shows that he is one of the most underrated vocalists in Heavy metal period. His screeching banshee howl is here in spades and shows literally no age. This is one of the best openers I have heard this year as well. The production on the album really fits in their discography especially with how much the bass cuts through. The only minor complain I have is the drums feel a bit too soft but it hardly deters the album for me. Up next is my favorite track: the trudging "Frost Monstreme" which has so many great riffs and has a bit of that early prog/doom mash up feeling on their first album but fully realized here. "The Fire Divine" also calls back to early songs on their debut with a more up beat hard rock feel to it which I dig. One worry I had was this album becoming "King of the Dead II" and that it is not. They effectively take a lot of bits and pieces from their discography and make an album that is just fucking worthy of being one of the best discs they have released. "Stormbringer" opens with some soft interludes and nice clean vocals before going into a full crushing onslaught. Up next is "Fractus Promissum" which hangs on that really vintage 70s proto metal kind of vibe. It has some of the best groove based riffs on the album by far. "Nightmare" has a lot of really good melody along with the mid paced "Before Tomorrow" which could have totally been on Paradise Lost which is my favorite release from the band. Finally we have the title track and it is a really strong way to go out with a nice fist pumping rhythm and crushing riffs. This is definitely the most doom track on the album with the chorus being so insanely heavy and dark. Honestly a perfect album to come out into the world now.

The band has done the impossible with this record. They managed to not only recreate their sound near perfectly in the modern age, but to create new fresh songs with vibes from their previously releases. However these feel like new songs and not just rehashed ideas which creates an album that definitely sits high in their discography which I haven't felt since Diamond Head's come back in 2016. This is Cirith Ungol fully reborn now ready to face a whole new generation of rock and music fans in general. So come on and Join the Legion and become forever black because the kings of the dead are fucking back.

9.5/10

Album Review- Bloody Hammers: Under Satan's Sun

Under Satan's Sun is the third album released by Gothic/Stoner/Doom metallers Bloody Hammers and was released on June 10th, 2014. These guys i heard about when i was searching through some of the new metal releases of the month June. I was interested because of the vinyl looking cover noting that these guys could be one of those "retro" bands in the wave of the 70s revival bands popping up today Which i love. These guys are a bit of a different breed than alot of bands such as Orchid or Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats though and this album definitely shows it.

Track Rundown

1.The Town That Dreaded Sundown- Beginning with an eerie sound clip, this song begins with a groove that soaks of Sabbath. I really like how all the instruments sound on this track and for how dirty it sounds. Anders Manga's vocals sound really smooth and have that Southern Gothic  undertone that makes it sound even heavier. I really like where the track speeds up as well to a more head banging tempo. The subtle piano in the back adds just another layer to this great song. one of the best openers of the year and i would love to see this in the remake of the film of the same name.

2.Spearfinger- I really like the riff to this song it is very fuzzy and heavy. It seems like a track that would sound great live as well with a stronger than hell chorus. The bass has a really strong presence as well adding a hell of alot more low end. Devallia has a real cool organ effect sound here as well. another great track.

3.Death Does Us Part- This track is a bit quieter but packs a very dark atmosphere and is almost like a ballad but it isn't. It has a bit of that southern rock tinge to it and is a nice change of pace for the album. It also has a more modern rock kind of sound to it as well with alot of the Doom and Stoner aspects kind of drawn back. The chorus is very good and creepy as well It's not the best but it's interesting to say the least.

4.Moon-Eyed People- This track goes back to that heavy style but i would have like the riff to be a bit slower it feels like they are going a bit too fast on this one. I do like it however it still retains that really heavy fuzzed out guitar that sounds like it is played through an Ampeg bass head. It doesn't necessarily have the charm of the first three tracks but is not bad in the least.

5.Second Coming- The sound clip at the beginning i like (even though i don't know where it's from) but the song has a more psychedelic approach with Anders' bass getting a weird effect put on it. The riff is not amazing to me with this being one of the more weak tracks. The vocals are the strongest aspect as well are the drums with the marching band like approach in some segments.

6.Welcome To The Horror Show- The keys really get to shine more here beginning beautifully leading into an all out gothic rock tune that Peter Steele would surely be proud of. I like the crooning vocals and the pre-chorus is actually really catchy. It's a song that reminds of a graveyard at 3 am with fog rolling over the tombstones. A really dark and uncomfortable yet beautiful atmosphere is accomplished by this song and it still remains a standout i like the solo too. However the solo's on this record seem to be dug back too far to be fully appreciated. Stellar song for any Halloween party.

7.Under Satan's Sun- I like that the bass gets to open this song and the guitar comes in with a cool riff and solo then comes back at second verse and through the chorus. I like songs that structured like this it's more enjoyable to listen to. The chorus is another really strong one that would sound great live. Another standout track for me.

8.Dead Man's Shadow On The Wall- A faster track that retains its heaviness= I like alot. This is probably the most metal song on the record and almost has a Godsmack sound in the guitar structures. The vocals are my favorite part of this song and sound just so heavy and evil. Heaviest track easily on the record.

9.The Last Alarm- This track starts almost sounding like a weird demented 60's psychedelic pop song. They did a bit more experimentation on this track which i wouldn't recommend to the casual listener unless you were looking for that total right turn into a demented forest. It's not bad at all but it is a sound that is alot more bizarre when paired with the other songs on this album.

10.Necromancer- The creepiness at the beginning is very real and then a real heavy riff hits you as if satan's house band was jamming right in your face. They really made this closer count with the stoner metal vibes very present and the guitar riffs just oozing out. Indeed this is a good closer and leaves me wanting more of this gothic horror tinged stoner rock or metal whichever you prefer.

Overall, i give this album about a 7.5 to an 8. It really is an enjoyable record and is similar yet very different from their past two releases with more of a gothic and other experimental tones explored here. These guys to me are like America's answer to Ghost B.C yet pull back the more pop elements. The vocals are the best thing about this record and i give Anders' the unofficial nickname as "The Heavy Metal  Svengoolie". Seriously though check this record out and this band as a whole as this a great release to get you in the mood for October.

Album Review: GHOST: Opus Eponymous

Opus Eponymous is the debut album from Swedish heavy metal band Ghost and was released in 2010. This band is very reminiscent of Mercyful Fate but without Kings screeching vocals. Ever since this album, their sophmore album and their newest ep have been released, this band has grown to a large cult success and are one of the most unique bands you can see today. but is this album worth all the hype from the past few years? lets find out.

Track Rundown

1.Deus Culpa- this is one of the eeriest openings to any album i have ever heard and still gives me chills. it sounds like music played at a funeral home and can seem kind of unsettling but it makes you intrigued what the rest of the album sounds like.

2.Con Clavi Con Dio- this song sounds like a straight up doom metal song with the cool bass riff in the beginning and the song just explodes and and the first lyrics about satan and praising him i really like this song it kicks ass still.

3.Ritual- a very poppy sounding riff at first then into a heavy metal riff with Papa Emeritus's crooning vocals and having a kind of poppy sounding chorus its a very interesting track sounds like the Beatles playing metal

4.Elizabeth- starts out with an awesome doom riff and i like the eerie vocals against it as well i do like the take with really soft vocals apposed to heavier harsh vocals and the chorus sounds so creepy to me which is what this band really accomplishes is creating a moody creepy atmosphere and the solo here sounds pretty neat.

5.Stand By Him- the drum beat at the start i like the song kind of does what the previous song did but its a good headbanging song and the chorus isnt too bad. the fast part with harmonizing guitars was awesome though.

6.Satan Prayer- the riff here again is pretty cool this album is full of them but this song is weaker it doesnt have the huge amount of power the as the past few had.

7.Death Knell- reminds me of Black Sabbaths self titled song with the rain in the beginning and has more of a low trudging rhythm with the pop kind of sounding come back in but otherwise not a really memorable track.

8.Prime Mover- a different sounding riff in the beginning played on higher strings but goes back into that more doom sound it has a bigger sound to it but again not as awesome and epic as the first half of the album.

9.Genesis- I really like this instrumental even though it repeats it just feels so epic though like running through a graveyard trying to escape a killer i just ugh i always have to listen to it when this album is on perfect end to this album.

Overall i give this album an 8 out of 10. the first side definitely succeeds over the second but the instrumental at the end makes up for it definitely and i can understand why this album shot them into fame quickly.

Album Review- DOYLE: Abominator

Abominator is the debut album from former Misfits guitarist Doyle Von Wolfgang Frankensteins new Horror Metal band/supergroup DOYLE and was released in 2013. This to me was one of my most anticipated albums of last year since i am such a Misfits fanatic and Doyle is my all time favorite Punk guitarist but when i found out he would again be doing more metal material as he did with Gorgeous Frankenstein i got really excited. However, does it hold up for one of horror punks founding fathers? lets find out.

Track Rundown

1. Abominator- This song starts out with a blood curdling scream from Alex Story from the the notorious CancerSlug and Doyle comes in with an awesome Doom riff thats very Black Sabbath worthy. The drums sound extremely heavy as well with Graves era Misfit Dr. CHUD back behind the kit. the fast riff then picks up and is very infectious but to me the verses are the best part of the track with Doyle doing some chugging and palm muting while Story sounds as badass as ever singing here. This is definitely a standout track.

2.Learn To Bleed- The beginning riff has so much groove i try so hard to resist going crazy. i really love the chorus how it goes into a hardcore punk kind of rhythm which gives this record a kind of crossover sound as well. this is a really infectious song.

3.DreamingDeadGirls- CHUDs drumming really stands out to me the most here with his very fast double pedal hitting showing that his abilities have broadened. Alex Storys lyrical content really is really funny here singing about what else? necrophilia! and Doyles riffs are very doom sounding with a ballad kind of rhythm during the chorus parts. i really like his squealing solo which reminds me of Panteras Suicide Note part 2. another very cool song very fun to sing to.

4.HeadHunter- a very thrashy sounding song that would get any mosh pit riled up. its a very fun and fast track.

5.Valley Of  Shadows- this song sounds like the combination of Pantera with horror movies. It s a very strong song that again has a very strong element of groove in it. the fast punky part in the middle is a left turn that you totally dont expect on first listen.

6.Land of the Dead- another very sludgy sounding riff in the beginning with Doyles now signature squeal harmonics but then picks up into a riff that sounds like it would be on Black Sabbaths Master of Reality. Alexs vocals sound very sludgy here as well which i really like. not one of the best tracks but a good one.

7.CemeterySexx- finally the bass gets a chance to shine that Doyle actually recorded on the album(Left Hand Graham plays with them live) and is very groovy with guitar as well and Story singing with a caress in his voice gives this song a very Alice In Chains kind of vibe to me. another song with great riffs.

8.Love Like Murder- this song has a very southern metal/ DOWN feel to it but its nothing amazing like a couple songs before it. its still pretty good but not great.

9.Mark of the Beast- This song sounds like it could be off of Rob Zombies Educated Horses for some reason to me i don't know why but it has that more industrial feel to it the chorus is very vicious its pretty good.

10.Drawing Down the Moon- this oddly has a more upbeat riff to it but i think this is the weakest track here its not really special or groundbreaking.

11.Bloodstains- this song returns to the heavy riff squeal heavy riff style of past songs and is pretty headbangable(is this a word?) its very Godsmack sounding too which i really appreciate.

12. Hope Hell Is Warm- the album really goes out swinging with a track as ferocious as this one. the chorus is one of my favorites on here its awesome to sing along to as the album ends with a bang.

Overall this album receives a 9 out of 10. This album really is a trip through a graveyard of hell and i was extremely pleased it didnt sound like The Misfits at all but more like a Pantera/Godsmack/Alice In Chains mashup thrown into the middle of a haunted house and i hope Doyle pulls more of this stuff out in the future.