Release
date: August 26th
2016. Label: Bad Omen Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Wretch
– S/T – Tracklisting
1.
Running Out Of Days
2.
Rest In Peace
3.
Bloodfinger
4.
Winter(Judas Priest cover)
5.
Icebound
6.
Grey Cast Mourning
7.
Drown
Band
Members:
Karl
Simon - vocals, guitar
Bryce
Clarke - bass guitar
Chris
Gordon - drums
Review:
This
one of the most anticipated releases for me this year, if not for the
decade. Already when the Indianapolis band formed back in 2013, I've
been yearning for their debut. That was heightened even further after
seeing their powerful performance at Vultures Of Volume II in 2015.
So when news started to filter through that Karl Simon's new band was
about to unleash some kind of magic, yours truly has been walking on
egg shells. But now the wait is over and holy mother of all things
heavy and doom, Wretch's self-titled first wax is beyond words.
Karl
lead the charge in his former band the mighty The Gates Of Slumber,
where his passionate voice and brilliant guitar playing set the tone
for a kind of doom metal no one could superseded. Therefore, after
the sad demise of that band, I, for one, has missed Karl immensely.
However, that is rectified and then some, since he is back with a
vengeance. And his old cohort from The Gates Of Slumber, Chris
Gordon, bangs the skins.
A
sinister, foreboding riff sets off opener, 'Running Out Of Days'.
Pounding drums follows before the thumping bass guitar joins in and
the song explodes. Relentlessly Wretch pushes through the pain, anger
and dejection of watching someone close fade away and die. It leads
straight into ‘Rest In Peace’ where the rhythm section
annihilates me, while THE riffs shreds whatever remains of me into
nothingness. Lyrically, it is one of the most candid and heartfelt
songs I’ve ever heard: “My life's been my own making, mine and
mine alone, a cross to bear, a heavy stone”. It’s a strange
sensation, yet liberating at the same time, to headbang and thrash
around madly, while tears are streaming down my cheeks to the
memories of long gone but nor forgotten friends. Listen to Karl’s
fantastic guitar solo and his tormented vocals. Sends chills down my
spine. A wonderful composition in all it’s misery. ‘Bloodfinger’
is one of two instrumentals on ‘Wretch’. Soaring and floating,
looking for release the band is on point. They work within a
structure but throws down the gauntlet at the same time, jamming
heavily. Kind of trippy and I love it! Going way back in time, Wretch
unleashes Judas Priest’s ‘Winter’ from ‘Rocka Rolla’ and
they make it their own, and then some. And that’s how covers should
be done.
A
true doom gem with strong heavy metal leanings and again, the rhythm
section - Bryce Clarke, bass guitar, and Chris Gordon – is so tight
and badass, which allows Karl total freedom and he uses that
wonderfully. Punishing in tone and brutally honest in words. Armed
with only a guitar, the second instrumental, ‘Grey Cast Mourning’,
puts on the table what a fantastic six stringer Mr. Simon is. You are
hard pressed to find a better wordless eulogy for a fallen friend.
Cinematic in parts and medieval parts, Karl paints candidly on a grey
canvas the emotions emanating from severe loss. Slow, brooding and
kind of claustrophobic, closer ‘Drown’ is about when all hope is
gone. Wherever you turn, whatever you do you see yourself painted
into a corner by the demons that haunts you, and there’s nowhere
else to go but down.
I
can only speak for myself, obviously, but as dark and bleak Wretch’s
debut album is lyrically, it is a catharsis every time I spin it. The
music is impeccable, mixing doom with heavy metal and trippy to great
aplomb. Add the purging lyrics and you have an album of the greatest
quality. What else is there to stay about a wax that makes you go
bonkers, bouncing around the house while wearing all your emotions on
your sleeves? Wretch, thank you for creating this amazing work of
art….and welcome back Karl and Chris!
Words
by Håkan Nyman