doom

Album Review: Krigsgrav – “Leave No Path to Follow”

Chris1 Comment

Krigsgrav-Leave-No-Path-To-Follow

I could do a lot of poetic waxing here to set the mood for Leave No Path to Follow, the new album from Texas blackened doom merchants Krigsgrav, about how their mid-paced melancholic mix of metal was not only a chance to get some alliteration in this review, but also describes the thick atmosphere they bring to the table.  I could mention the sterling cover of “Brave” from Katatonia’s Brave Murder Day and how that really stands as a touchstone for what the band can do.  And I’ll probably talk about all that in greater detail in the main part of this review.

The clearest thing I can say about the album and band is this:  I never heard of them before, got the promo, took a listen, and immediately went and bought the rest of the band’s discography.  It’s called striking a nerve, and it struck all of mine.  So let’s do this.   Continue reading →

Album Review: Flood Peak – “Plagued by Sufferers”

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Flood Peak - Plagued By Sufferers

Whenever I listen to an album, I try to see what I can gain from it, and that usually depends on how I am feeling week to week. It’s sometimes the reason why it takes me some time to listen to new music – it’s not the right time for me to dive in. Now, post-metal has been making a comeback in my listening rotation, and I am surprised by the melody it has implemented since I last heard some of it many years ago. In the case of Flood Peak, they have managed to blend post-metal with elements of drone and sludge to create a haunting record that recalls the inconsistency of life and its routines.

For someone who has been experiencing a lot of upheaval these last couple of months, Plagued by Sufferers is a balm to my weary soul. Continue reading →

Album Review: Lucifer – “Lucifer II”

Chris2 Comments

Lucifer - Lucifer II

I remember the hype and acclaim around The Oath and their brand of Sabbath acid rock doom not doing all that much for me, so when singer Johanna Sadonis took the band’s demise to form Lucifer with ex-Cathedral’s Gaz Jennings as a musical partner it felt like more of the same.  Three years on from their debut and a serious switch in collaborators brings forth a more sun-drenched Lucifer II, and the result is a truly memorable rock album that slithers in the darkness and the light, putting the focus on hooks and head nods instead of wallowing gauze and doom.   Continue reading →

Profile Twofer: Nick LaRocca of Barren Heir and Jeff Wojtysiak of Cokegoat

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Cokegoat / Barren Heir - Split

Steeping away from our standard Profile, today we are featuring a twofer or double or dos attack (however you want to look at it) of bands, Barren Heir and Cokegoat, who have just released their collaborative and independent split Sunshine / Tracing Light. It’s an extremely forward thinking sludge and doom affair that kicks like a mule one minute and plays with tension / release the next. Simply put, this is six tracks of music you need in your life. As luck may have it, Nine Circler Vincent just featured this split right here so be sure check that out in full. We recently had the chance to ask our set of questions to Barren Heir’s drummer Nick LaRocca and Cokegoat’s guitarist / vocalist Jeff Wojtysiak so head inside to get the scoop and hit the links to support the bands. Continue reading →

Receiving the Evcharist: Cokegoat & Barren Heir and 702 Pale Ale

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Receiving the Evcharist

Receiving the Evcharist is our weekly feature where we pair choice albums with our favorite libations.  Drink from the cup of heresy.  This week’s offering: Cokegoat & Barren Heir’s Sunshine/Tracing Light and Tenaya Creek Brewery’s 702 Pale.  
Continue reading →