Tuesday 27 September 2016

Black Tomb - S/T (Album Review)


Release date: September 06th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Black Tomb – Tracklisting

1.Under the Pine 06:12
2.Eyes at Midnight 05:12
3.Swine 05:14
4.Mortuary Rites 00:59
5.Draped in Flesh 08:50
6.Lust and Saturn 04:18
7.Turning Worm 04:57
8.Church on the Hill 13:25

Review

Black Tomb call themselves a New England Doom Metal Band. Though that only gives the listener a brief glimpse into their music. As the band blend Doom, Sludge, Psych, Stoner, Punk and even Death Metal onto their debut album.

It's an album built on the foundation of nightmares as the atmosphere is bleak from the start. Fans Of Cough and Electric Wizard will find much to enjoy here as opening track Under The Pine creates a heavy fuzz-laiden atmosphere with the band changing musical styles throughout the album. The vocals are a blend of doom/sludge growls with a sinister Death Metal style appearing from time to time.

Black Tomb even have the audacity to play progressive stoner metal riffs when the mood is considerably bleak. It's a pulsating style of music that sees Black Tomb playing to their strengths on the rest of the album. If you like your music on the more demonic side of life then Black Tomb are here to cater to your every need. Pitch-black vocals become more common on tracks such as Eyes At Midnight, Swine, Turning Worm and the epic final song – Church Of The Hill.

The instrumental work is what holds your attention as Black Tomb create music that shouldn't really go together. Black Tomb throw everything at you and it's too their credit you're not bored for a single second. The album itself is a brutal headbanging riff-fest that allows Black Tomb to have so much devilish fun. Some people may not hear the Stoner/Sludge based vibes but trust me as they're lurking in the background.

This album is going down a storm on BandCamp and it's not hard to see why. It's an album that has something for everyone and it's an album that should be an essential purchase for any self respecting Heavy Metal fan. If you need more evidence to check out Black Tomb, have a look who mastered it. Brad Boatright at the legendary Audiosiege.

With Halloween just around the corner, Black Tomb have released the perfect soundtrack for you to lose yourself in. My advice, Smoke Your Favourite BONG, Turn Up The Volume, as it's time to worship at the church of BLACK TOMB.

I have a feeling that we could be hearing a lot more from Black Tomb in the years to come. As they have created a devilish vision that deserves to be heard by as many people as possible.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp