This California-based band remembers a time when sludge used to groove. They even use sung vocals at times to break things up from the husky bark that is more commonplace in the genre. There is an almost progressive spirit to their songwriting. It is certainly something to bob your head to. "Snake Mountain" finds them chugging into the more mammoth stomp that is shaded with the darker underpinnings of doom. The guitars carry most of the melodic weight until the sung vocals return. They are in more of a croon. I also think the Snake Mountain being referred to in this song is the one from Masters of the Universe as I distinctly heard him say "Eternia will bleed". He-Metal.
"Destitute" carries a more hypnotic free-flowing arrangement. The riffs wander in an almost Tool-like fashion. It builds up in the way you expect it to and then does heavy in a similar fashion. But even then it still works. The syncopation to "The Maneuver" is a little more interesting. Their bass player is getting it done. The drummer also knows where to be, despite not being the Danny Carey-type player this music would normally require. The build on this song is one of the album's better payoffs. I like the jammy feel these songs wander into.
"Riddle of Steel" has more of a stoner doom feel. There is some boogie in its step. It works for what it is even if that does not require the same level of twists and turns found in the other songs. "Burn Scar' feels like a groovier continuation of the previous song. As you get into the meat of the song it packs more of a punch. There is more anger in this song than in the heavier moments earlier in the album. They jam out the ending to this one more fervently than the rest of the album. "Soon" closes the album and features some of the best-sung vocals from these guys, as things flow with a more shoegazing post-rock quality, I like where these guys are not, is it the most original thing I have heard this year? No, but they are good at what they do. I will give this album a 9.
pst105
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