Tar Pit : "Scrying the Angel Gate"

This is the sophomore album from this Portland doom band. Thematically, there is a darker Lovecraftian theme going on, though balanced out but an almost jammy feel as the opening track unfolds with organ haunting the lurching riff that serves a the plodding backbone of the song. They do lock in a more metallic sound before the howling croon of vocals comes in. Vocalist Don Gonzalo, belts it out well. He is not as blatant an Ozzy disciple as what we have heard from other bands. In fact, it sounds like he might be more influenced by Wino in some respects, though he has more power in his pained declarations. 

At three and a half minutes, "Covern Vespers" is a more restrained rock that packs a compact punch rather than sprawling out. I think even in doom, it is important for a band to be able to rein it in and just write a song. The vocals sit further back into the guitars on this one. "Jubilee" is less jubilant than the boogie of the previous song and carries a darker blues creep. The guitar player impresses me on this one. There is more Sabbath influence in this one than in the previous songs. "Blue Light Cemetery" might be about cell phones. The vocals work best when he belts it out. There are some uncertain moments in the more introspective phrasing at the beginning of the song. Midway into the song, it wanders off into a jam. They lock back in with the stomp of a heavier before the song's end. 

"Blessed King of Longing" conforms closer to the expectations of traditional doom. The drummer leans into his Bill Ward influence, which is not a bad thing to bring to the table. There is more of a "Vol 4" feel to the title track that closes the album; the vocals cry out from behind the guitars. Midway into the song, things die down into a more atmospheric darkness.  I will give this album a 9, as it carries the torch for Sabbath in a different way that does not make these guys a tribute band, but brings their sound to the table. More bong-centric doom fans should rejoice. 

pst334