Release
date: November 6th 2015. Label: Sunmask Records/Pre-Rock Records/Superbob Records. Format:
Cassette/DD/Vinyl
Himalaya
To Mesopotamia – Tracklisting
1.Shooting
Guns - Super Himalaya
2.Shooting
Guns - Dirty Needle
3.Shooting
Guns - Ultimate Nullifier
4.
ZAUM - The Serpentshrine
Shooting
Guns Band Members:
Keef
Laramee
Jay
Loos
Jim
Ginther
Toby
Bond
Zach
Low
Brennan
Barclay
Zaum
Band Members:
Kyle
Alexander McDonald : Vocals, Bass, Sitar, Synth
Christopher
Lewis : Drums
Review:
Two
of Canada’s finest upcoming Doom Metal bands Zaum and Shooting Guns
have teamed up for a split record – Himalaya to Mesopotamia. Four
songs lasting 39 minutes with ZAUM offering one epic 19 minute song
and Shooting Guns offering 3 songs lasting around 6 to 7 minutes
each.
If
you’re not familiar with either band then this is the best place to
start. Zaum’s music is described as Eastern based Doom/Stoner
Metal. Imagine OM and Sleep given a Middle Eastern twist as the
sounds are shrouded in heavy drone based Eastern Mysticisms. Shooting
Guns on the other hand are an Instrumental Doom Metal band with
shades of Ambient Noise, Post-Rock and Stoner Metal. They’ve
already released a split record earlier this year with Hawkeyes. So I
was curious to hear what they’ve conjured up for this split record.
First
up is Shooting Guns and I’m excited to hear what they have in store
with us as they have quite a different sound compared to Zaum. One
more of Instrumental Psych/Doom/Stoner Metal compared to the Eastern
based sounds of Zaum. The first song is Super Himalaya. A Psychedelic
Doom/Stoner Metal ride with Shooting Guns opting for a more stripped
back feel compared to their earlier releases. It’s very lo-fi at
times but it still sounds superb from start to finish. The riffs are
played at a fast pace with distorted ambient noises being the main
driving force on the track.
Dirty
Needle is the next song to follow and it’s another spaced out
trippy doom and gloom based musical odyssey with the band creating
some heavy out there moments. Shooting Guns even manage to follow
Zaum’s lead and inject some Eastern based vibes. This is perhaps
the best song from Shooting Guns on the album as it features the
bands trademark riffs but given a Zaum makeover. Long drawn out psych
doomy riffs await to take you to another world or dimension.
The
final track from Shooting Guns is – Ultimate Nullifier – which is
classic Shooting Guns from start to finish. This is a song that could
have came from their critically acclaimed album – Brotherhood Of
The Ram. It’s a fast-paced Doom/Stoner Metal song packed with
intricate psych vibes and spaced out noises to show you why these
guys are so highly thought of. In my opinion, Shooting Guns are
perhaps one of the finest Instrumental Doom/Stoner Metal bands
currently out there. They’ve released 3 great records in the last
12 months.
Finally
we have Zaum’s contribution – The Serpentshrine. If you’re a
fan of Zaum’s debut album – Oracles – you’ll find much to
admire here as Zaum continue with the Eastern epic based drone sounds
merged with slow-paced Doom/Ambient/Stoner Metal sounds. The vocals
and chants drift in and out to add a world eerie atmosphere that also
brings a sense of mystery. It does take time for Zaum to unleash the
heavy thunderous riffs. Though it’s worth the wait as you know a
violent storm is coming towards you.
The
vocals move up a gear when the heavy riffs appear as the song becomes
more exciting as a result. Zaum crank up the tension as the guitars
merge with a murkier psychedelic sound. The drumming becomes more
powerful as a result. Psychedelic Noises and Eastern Mantra sounds
collide for one of the most spaced out trips of the year. Take a
journey with ZAUM as The Serpentshirne features some of ZAUM’s most
creative work to date.
I
hope a new album from both bands isn’t too far away. Until then,
Zaum and Shooting Guns have created a stunning record here. Himalaya
to Mesopotamia is a must-have record for all you spaced out
astronauts to admire and fully experience.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Zaum, Shooting Guns and Sunmask Records for the promo. Himalaya to
Mesopotamia will be available to buy on Cassette/DD/Vinyl via SunmaskRecords/Pre-Rock Records/Superbob Records from November 6th 2015.
Shooting
Guns Links:
Zaum
Links:
