Release
date: October 15th 2016. Label: Black Bow Records. Format:
CD/DD
Magicka
– Tracklisting
1.Rogue
Mystic 05:54
2.The
Ides of March 06:57
3.The
Warlock 07:46
4.Scarab
05:07
5.Reigning
Hell 07:21
Band
Members:
Gregg
McDowell - Vocals,
Jake
Wallace - Lead Guitar,
Mikey
Scott - Rhythm Guitar,
Dale
Hughes - Bass Guitar,
Brien
Gillen - Drums
Review:
Northern
Ireland's Elder Druid are starting to make waves within the
Doom/Sludge/Stoner community with their debut EP – Magicka. A 5
song EP that merges Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal riffs with elements
of LOUD FUZZ. Gregg's vocals take a few moments to get used to but
for the most part Gregg delivers the goods with his pissed off
growls.
Opening
track – Rogue Mystic – opens Magicka with a sense of purpose with
the music being driven from heavy down-tuned based riffs. Elder Druid
really like their FUZZ. As this song is built upon trippy psychedelic
fuzz based noises with the Sludgy grooves giving this a more
contemporary modern Stoner Metal vibe.
Elder
Druid sound like they were influenced by Sabbath, Kyuss, Slomatics
and Truckfighters in parts. Yeah, interesting combination but that
tells you what to expect on Magicka. Tracks such as The Ides of
March, The Warlock and Scarab show a band with huge potential and who
deliver the goods from the very start.
The
guitar work from Jake and Mikey is another highlight with both of
them creating powerful heavy doom and gloom riffs to build the FUZZ
upon. Though I have to say it's the drumming and bass guitar work of
Dale and Brien that impressed the me most. As they keep the mood
vibrant and fresh. Elder Druid are a very tight unit indeed as
Magicka becomes a much better experience with each repeated listen.
The
production of the EP is handled by Andy Shields from Heavy Rock crew
– Hornets. Andy has did a great job here as the whole sound and
feel of the EP is fantastic. Magicka has quite a gloomy based feel
towards the end especially on the final track – Reigning Hell.
If
you haven't acquainted yourself with Elder Druid then this is the
best possible time as Magicka will leave you in a deep hynotic
trance. Elder Druid are perhaps one of the best upcoming bands to
emerge from the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal scene in 2016. If this is
classed as their debut EP then I can't wait to hear their full length
record.
You
need more evidence to check these guys out. Black Bow Records will be
releasing Magicka digitally from October 15th
2016. If getting your EP released by Jon Paul Davis from the mighty
CONAN own record label is not recommendation enough then I don't know
what is...
You
know what to do.
Words
by Steve Howe
