The Phil Anselmo-fronted stoner metal band is backc again. With what is actually their fourth full-length, though they consider two eps they released to be an entire album. They could have called this "Volume 4" for obvious reasons so here we are with the guys from COC, Crowbar, and Eyehategod along for the ride. It opens with the kind of fuzzed-out thunder and big riffs you expect from these guys. Phil has a little more grit to his voice this time around, but shows he can still sing if he needs to.
Of course, the song I was most curious about was "Merciful Fate" which features an appearance by both King Diamond and his wife, Livia. A bass line leads into this, and it carries more of a 70s touch than you might expect, though with a touch of atmospheric darkness. King lays a ghostly falsetto to haunt the corners as he cries out. Aside from this, they did not change much to accommodate this concept. It wanders off into a more smoke-laden jam. There is a more Clutch vibe to it. Phil is smart to stay in his lane and not try to match the King, since he is far from the days when he couldd get up there.
"Turn out the Light" has a bit more boogie in its beat. The vocals are well produced, with layers that stand out in the more sung sections where he breaks from the belt a bit. The lyrics are a little obtuse at times. "The Message" has the most Sabbath-inspired riff thus far. The chug in the verse is pretty cool. "Causeway Grief" is a little darker. There is a more melodic approach to this one. It is the doomiest song so far. 'The Blood Oath" is another song that finds shadows replacing the boogie, and feels more likea Crowbar riff driving it.
Even a rocker like "They Walk the Night" goes off into a more surreal bluesy passage before they jam out into the guitar solos. Their Ozzy tribute "Ozz" is in the vein of "Planet Caravan". There seem to be infinite layers of vocals here, but Phil knows he has to sing his ass off. "Twice Told Tales" is the least focused song on the album, but it's better than what most bands can do on their best day. I will round this one up to a 10 as the strongest songs balance it out. It drops November 20th on Nuclear Blast.
pst547
No comments:
Post a Comment