Is this the most original band? No, there is a great deal of retro stoner metal that falls in the rotation of these guys. They are really good at what they do. I hear hear some Think Lizzy influence in how the vocal melodies work, so this is not just Sabbath worship. The guitar tone of this Sydney band is very much metal and the grooves are aggressive. They are more about getting stoned in a van with all the other heshers and not dark or depressing like doom should be. "All Seeing Eye' is heavier than the opener, though neither song is shabby or taking it easy. They have some commanding gallops on here that will induce heading banging easily.
They get darker and heavier on "Ceremony of the Skull" . Lyrically themes are like bong infused Dungeons and Dragons. The vocals get more aggressive , not yelling, still holding melody. They are very much riff worshipers which I can appreciate. The first real hint of Sabbath I hear is on "Ghost Ship" , I can also hear some Sound Garden as well. The more deliberate Sabbath rumble is kicked up on "Root of Evil" . It falls some where between blues and grunge. "Dopanaught" is like a moderately slowed down version of "Paranoid" but with lyrics about wizards. The get a much better grip on groove and melody with "March of the Reptiles". The vocals are smooth. The drummer is kicking it pretty hard on this one as well. "Golden Thunder Hawk: works of a more restrained groove. The song end with a really strong riff.
Despite riffs being their stock and trade, the rule here is cool riffs alone does not a good song make, On "March of the Reptiles" they prove they can write a song. I will round this album up to a 9. I am not sure how many extra listens this one will earn.
Was released back in July on Ripple Music/
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