Saturday 1 October 2016

Elder Druid - Magicka (EP Review)


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

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp