Slomatics : "Atomicult"

 I reviewed this Belfast-based band's last album and gave it an 8, for some reason, the vocals needed some tweaking in post-production. Not hearing the same issues, though I don't remember listening to the last album, so perhaps that is also an issue. They are rumbling into this album with a weighty sludge lumber. The vocals sit back in more of the atmospheric backdrop of the song, just soaring over the guitar. I do remember that I liked the fact that the vocals were not trying to be Ozzy, and that is still in play here. 

There is a more spaced-out feel to what the trio is doing here. The vocals do something similar on the second song, though they are a little more melodic. At times it is hard to tell what the bass is and where the guitar begins amid the rumble, but it works for what they are doing., There is a little more syncopation to "Auto-Skull." There have not been any guitar solos are jamming until they reach the synth line in the middle of this song that offers a slightly more progressive touch. 'Relics' is a faint ballad that is overtaken by its own ambiance, but I can appreciate the Pink Floyd influence.

In contrast to the previous song, "Night Grief" possesses a very purposeful stomp. "Physical Witch" Finds sytn sounds blending into the bass to create an interesting throb that hypnotizes you. This is more effective than the more typical doom that is dished out on "Chrome Sisters".  They get even gloomier for "Biclops", though they also add a little more atmosphere to balance it out.  They close out the album with a heavier droning crunch. Fans of doom-laden sludge will enjoy it as it offers the kind of pounding they are looking for.  I will give this one a 9, as it gets the job done while improving upon what they did on the last album, and caters to fans of space-rock tinged doom. 

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November is Doom- Slomatics : "Strontium Fields"

 

Belfast Doom machine chugs on with their most recent effort. There is an impressive blend of dynamics. They are not afraid to stray from the confines of metal but carry plenty of metallic crunch when bringing the heavy. The vocals are sung, but not trying to be Ozzy. The melodies are dramatic and somewhat angular in their phrasing.  The only drawback is that a certain uniformity still remains in their sound, as "I Neanderthal" sounded like they were still jamming out the first song until I was halfway through it. Things shift into more of a Porcupine Tree-like ambiance with the more progressive drift of "Time Capture".  The languid contemplation of this is a cool counterpoint to the established mood of the album.

"Some Kind of Minotaur" has a more weighty stomp. I like how the keyboards add to the mood, but I am less impressed with the vocals on this song. If you are just looking for big riffing, fuzzed-out guitars that are locked in the doom plod, then they have got you covered. I prefer the darker undercurrent that casts a thoughtful shadow on "Voidians". The vocals work better on this one as well. The more minimalist creep gives them space to be belted over. When this song really builds its momentum, the results are both fun and powerful 

There is a more casual strum to "Zodiac Arts Lab". Not sure if that kind of ballad was necessary, but I am sure when they were stoned enough to write it, things made perfect sense at the time. I like the guitar to 'ARCS." It reminds me of bands like Failure and Hum, which is a wide turn from what they were just doing. The vocals are not trying too hard and flow like everything else. 'With Dark Futures' is all over the place, but works better when it simmers down.I will give this album an 8.5, the vocals still need a little work in post-production, but everything else is firing on all cylinders. 

https://slomatics.bandcamp.com/album/strontium-fields#:~:text=%3Ciframe%20style%3D%22border,Slomatics%3C/a%3E%3C/iframe%3E