I enjoyed the group’s split release with Behrosth but on their debut full length they are almost completely falling over themselves. The various styles at play here in this concoction of “magick metal” (or whatever you want to call it) seem to sit apart from each other rather that come together to make a cohesive whole. That’s not to say that the record is bad; there are a few decent songs here, but generally the ..read more

Production on this one is still very “lo-fi” but is much smoother and not so rough around the edges. Musicianship also seems to be moving in the right direction. A lot more going on here, especially when the keys/synths get going and all sorts of magic(k) happens. Generally though, if you’ve heard Edelweiss before you’ll know what to expect with this record, but things just seem tighter, which is always nice ..read more

This is far from a bad album, but is Candlemass in name only. Leif (bass) is the only remaining member since the previous record, and this album was only put out under the Candlemass name because the label refused to continue with the Abstrakt Algebra project. As I said though, this is far from bad. It is actually pretty good “stoner” doom; the riff styles are drastically different to the rest of the band’s discography ..read more

Perhaps not as endearing – or as well known – as the debut but this sophomore effort would initially be the last album from the fun “trad doom” group Witchfinder General. There are some fantastic songs here, such as opening number “Love On Smack” or later cuts like “Shadowed Images”, and the production is just gorgeous; those riffs ooze out of the speakers in ways that would make the whole Rise Above roster water at ..read more

In a word: punishing. I suppose you could say that Cop is more focussed than Filth, and I also suppose that this kind of “focus” on sheer brutality would continue into the Young God EP and the more precise mixed-electronic works of Greed, Holy Money and the singles associated with those albums. Cop however, is like a bunch of New York’s most experimental and uncompromising musicians accidentally stumbled upon sludge / doom metal. The cuts ..read more

Yes, I was one of those clowns that fell for this one. I thought indeed that it was a legit live recording, and it was only when I actually took the time to delve into “Type O Lore” that I realised I had been fooled. The wool had well and truly been pulled over my eyes. The trouble with Origin though, is that, well, it’s not very good. On the surface of it, as a ..read more

One of the first records I ever owned, this triple LP set on Southern Lord (it was a really cool dark laquered brown colour) is awesome and I have a soft spot for it even to this day, even though I got rid of the record itself many years ago. Altar is a puzzling mix of crushing drones and odd soundscapes combined with gentler tracks, of which “Sinking Belle” is probably the best one, by ..read more

Somewhat underwhelming entry from Electric Wizard, at least in regards to the great heights that this project can achieve. The Reverend Bizarre side however, is a masterpiece (or it is until it starts to drag on for far too long). Before we get to several minutes of pointless noise and effects over the top of the track, we have a fucking incredible cover of the Beherit classic, “The Gate Of Nanna”. I’m not sure how ..read more

An interesting entry into the Candlemass discography. Chapter XI is noticeably different from the series of Messiah-led albums that preceded it. Yes, even outside of that evolving sound, Chapter XI is a huge leap forwards (or perhaps sideways) into a more “modern” sound, at least for the time. I’m reminded of some of the more straight forward efforts of Tony Martin’s Sabbath days, such as Cross Purposes. I’m not sure if this has held up ..read more

Very raw recording, it’s bizarre hearing just the first three albums and knowing that the rest of the stuff doesn’t exist yet (Seventh Star wasn’t even a twinkle in Iommi’s dilated pupil yet hahaha). Ozzy seems in a very good mood on this one, but it’s far from essential ..read more