Welcome to Infernal Visions, a column where I review an album and pull a tarot card, oracle, or rune called forth by said album, sharing my interpretation of the card and how I feel it relates to the music. Let us bring together distortion and divinity. This week’s calling is doom metal album Traditional Addictions by Yeti on Horseback and The Devil.
The Call: Yeti on Horseback – Traditional Addictions
Heavy doom laden riffs, anguished howling, haunting soundscapes, and dark themes are at the core of Yeti on Horseback’s sophomore album Traditional Addictions. With such a fun band name, I was not expecting the density of this release. If you are looking for a fun and lighthearted stoner metal album, this is not it. If you are looking for something drenched in doom, slow, crushing, and gloomy, then Traditional Addictions will scratch that itch. The album speaks of the cycle of trauma and addiction begetting one another throughout modern history. The songs are classic doom length, with only four pieces making up the whole album. Everything about this release down to the incredible album artwork by tattoo artist and illustrator Jes Dunn, was carefully crafted. Combined with its doom core, the band infuses stoner, sludge, psych, drone, and more.
Recorded over the course of four years and released nearly a decade after their debut, Yeti on Horseback left no stone unturned. “Drug Addict” opens with a slow marching tempo, repetitive riffs, spoken vocals, heavy breathing, and ringing tones. This punishing track is almost 14 minutes long. Ambient sections stir unease and the sounds swirl and encircle listeners, trapping them so to speak. “Mariner’s Lament” continues the feelings of unease with eerie creaking and static tones that expand and expand until vocals are heard and drums and guitar take over. The drone ambient sounds remain in the background as the track adds wailing guitar and evolves slowly. “Through with this Flesh” holds more of a sludge-y sound being more melodic with a slightly picked up tempo and layered vocals. This may be my favorite of the album and reminds me at times of YOB. Traditional Addictions closes with “Erotic Goth Dad,” the longest and most ambitious of the album spanning just under 14 minutes. This track is tense with lyrics around spiritual terrorism and sexual abuse in the Catholic Church with a screamed line of “The Father, the Son, and the Holy Serpent” clearly heard and spotlighted. It is a powerful ending to the album and certainly unforgettable.
I was pleasantly surprised by the intensity of Traditional Addictions and loved being punished by these four tracks. The heaviness stays with me after each listen. The five artists that make up Yeti on Horseback (R. P. – rhythm guitar and vocals, S. S. – vocals and soundscapes, E. T. – percussion, S. M. – bass guitar and vocals, M. S. – lead guitar) layer sounds and textures to create something hypnotic and deeply emotive. “Erotic Goth Dad” was intentionally placed at the end to allude to the band’s direction on future albums and I eagerly await the next release.
The Card: The Devil
Pulled upright, this major arcana card brings to mind temptation, addiction, greed, and emotional stagnation. This card may seem scary, and I think a lot of people tend to fear this card but tarot centers on symbolism and has deeper meaning than what is initially presented. The Devil card should not fill you with dread and anxiety. While the upright position does suggest darker times and struggles, it does mean that hope is lost or something terrible is to come. This card can point to a relationship that is no longer fulfilling, maybe co-dependency has become an issue, or it can point to a domineering partner showing that the relationship demands too much and may be draining. It shows that it might be time to walk away and not give into temptation of further pursuing something toxic. This card can also point to addiction or addictive, greedy patterns and obsession whether that be substance abuse, needlessly spending too much money, or even negative thinking patterns. The overall wisdom message of The Devil is a hopeful one—freedom is within reach. This card can act as a sign to break the chains that may be binding us. If this card is pulled, I reflect on where my mind has been lately and what obsessive thoughts or unhealthy behavior I may have been experiencing lately. I then think of ways to climb out of the pit that I have felt trapped in. What do I need right now to begin healing? What can I do to break the cycle? Further cards can be pulled to help move you in the right direction if still feeling stuck or needing more guidance.
The Devil perfectly pairs with Traditional Addictions literally speaking to addiction and representing temptation and entrapment. Additionally, the symbol of The Devil fits with the themes of religious trauma and abstraction of faith. The undercurrent of dread and unease felt throughout the album brings forth this card and the hardships that it represents.
Blessed be.
–Angela
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