Khemmis

Pallbearer – Forgotten Days Review

By El Cuervo on October 23, 2020 in Reviews, Doom Metal, 135 comments

“Spear-heading the surge of American doom metal in the 2010s, Arkansas’s Pallbearer were the saddest and slowest of the cohort which also includes the likes of Khemmis and Spirit Adrift. With a simmering melancholy and towering doom-laden riffs, they were simultaneously the most traditional but most fresh of these acts. 2017’s Heartless saw them leaning into progressive territory (and copping them the ‘Progbearer’ nickname) as it strove for expansive soundscapes and used dynamic song-writing. 2020 has been an especially sad year which would seemingly provide plenty of days to be forgotten; how fares Forgotten Days in this context?” Pall of shame.

Curse the Son – Excruciation Review

By Doom_et_Al on June 17, 2020 in Reviews, Doom Metal, 8 comments

“Character, they say, is forged in adversity. Or at least that’s what management tells me every time I see myself rostered for yet another shift in the AMG Skull Pit™. Curse the Son know all about adversity, having had a constantly rotating line-up since the band formed in 2008. In addition, bassist Brendan O’Keefe suffered extensive injuries after a motorcycle accident in November 2018, necessitating a long road back to recovery. Basically, a lot of shit has happened to the band since the release of 2017’s Isolator, and Curse the Son is ready to tell you all about it.” Tough truckin’.

Forming The Void – Reverie Review

By Grymm on May 7, 2020 in Reviews, Doom Metal, 32 comments

Louisiana’s Forming The Void admirably scratched my doom metal itch back in 2018 with their third full-length, Rift. Between the sludgy riffs, the Middle-Eastern-inspired noodling, and the heft of the overall package, “Rift was a respectable, enjoyable album. But with all that’s been going on in the world, my lack of free time to even listen to music, let alone review it, and finding difficulty in locating simple pleasures like liquid hand soap or toilet paper… let’s just say that I’m itching for some quality doom metal to ease my soul.” Doom therapy.

Wake – Devouring Ruin Review

By Cherd on April 4, 2020 in Canadian Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Grind, Reviews, Translation Loss, Death Metal, Grind, 56 comments

“Finding catharsis in the midst of chaos is the name of the game these days. It’s why every tenth article in your COVID co-opted news avalanche feed is about a bunny who adopted stray kittens. It’s why last Saturday I watched a live stream of a drag queen disinfecting every surface in her kitchen while performing Queen’s “I Want to Break Free.” As the world around us is brought to its knees by the weight of uncertainty, we instinctively seek out and appreciate these small pressure release valves. Bands who ply their trade in chaotic styles should pay attention. Chaos plus time equals background noise, but there are two options to keep an audience engaged. The first is brevity. This is why hardcore punk albums are traditionally 25-30 mins long. The second is the thoughtful placement of sonic perches to rest upon.” Choose wisely.

Loviatar – Lightless Review

By Kenstrosity on March 31, 2020 in 2020, Canadian Metal, Doom Metal, Prosthetic Records, Reviews, Doom Metal, 34 comments

“What makes a great doom record? Adequate levels of sadness, helplessness, or loss expressed in a desperate croon? Perhaps doom is defined by plodding tempos and debilitating riffs? Could it simply be a quality of emptiness that pervades every moment of the music, regardless of the superficial qualities inherent to the sound? I honestly couldn’t tell you. All I know is that when a doom metal band brings its A-game, boy howdy does it wreck my shit sideways, backwards and diagonally. Enter Canadian quartet Loviatar, whose sophomore full-length Lightless wrecks my shit sideways, backwards and diagonally.” Stuff is getting wrecked here.

Stonus – Aphasia Review

By Doom_et_Al on March 8, 2020 in 2020, Daredevil Records, Doom Metal, Electric Valley Records, Greek Metal, Hard Rock, Reviews, Stoner Metal, Doom Metal, Stoner Metal, Stoner Rock, 26 comments

“While I can appreciate that certain substances can enhance a listening experience, I’ve always been a bit wary of music that seems designed to appeal to folks under the influence. Maybe I was burned by the rubbish techno of my youth — so repetitive that unless hopped up on MDMA, it’s damn near unlistenable. For that reason, I’ve steered clear of a lot of stoner doom/rock. If I don’t do any drugs, why would I bother with music for which getting high is a sine qua non?” In the weeds.

Elden – Nostromo Review

By El Cuervo on January 31, 2020 in 2020, Fuzzorama Records, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Stoner Metal, Swedish Metal, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Stoner Metal, 10 comments

“I selected Nostromo by Elden on the basis of being both a literature and sci-fi nerd (Joseph Conrad’s 1904 novel and Alien, respectively, though Alien itself is referencing Conrad by naming its ship Nostromo), hoping the resultant album would invoke a similarly strong response. How fare these Swedes when embarking in their own vessel called Nostromo?” In space no one can hear you nerd.

Blessed Black – Beyond the Crimson Throne Review and Album Premiere

By Huck N Roll on January 16, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Stoner Metal, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Stoner Metal, 59 comments

“Album premieres are a gimmick. At least that’s what I thought until I had the chance to showcase this lovely example of epic/doom/stoner metal courtesy of up-and-coming Cincinnati rockers Blessed Black. Of course, to review an album is one thing, but to premiere that album, it better be worth clicking on more songs than just the single, and that’s certainly the case here.” Blessed luck.

Necropanther – The Doomed City Review

By Eldritch Elitist on November 15, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Melodic Death Metal, 45 comments

“Fans of Eyes of Blue Light, the sophomore masterpiece from Denver, Colorado’s Necropanther, take heed: The Doomed City is not the record you are expecting.” Much Panther.

Monolord – No Comfort Review

By Huck N Roll on October 2, 2019 in 2019, Doom Metal, Relapse, Reviews, Stoner Metal, Swedish Metal, Doom Metal, Stoner Metal, 26 comments

“No Comfort is an interesting name for a Monolord album, because every time I’ve played their records I’ve felt a great sense of comfort. I know what I’m in for, and each time the band delivers. Kind of like a lot of the fuzzy stoner metal bands out there. They will bestow upon us massive riffs that are fuzzier than a giant peach, drenching their Black Sabbath worship with Electric Wizard sauce. It is a recipe for short-lived success; while I enjoy drinking at this particular well, I can only do so for a short time before moving on.” Quick comfort.