Release
date: May 19th 2017. Label: Rise Above Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Inside
The Skull – Tracklisting
Evil One
Heaven To Hell
Now Howls The Beast
Of God’s Creation
Give Me A Sign
Nature Of The Damned
Psychic Visions
Inside The Skull
Night Bird
Sick Sick Demon
Members:
Trevor William Church - Guitar,
Vocals...
Andres Alejandro Saldate (Juan
Bonham) - Drums..
John Tucker – Bass
Review
Greetings all,
Over the past couple of
weeks I have given multiple listens to the new album by the Fresno,
CA based Sabbath worshipping Hellions Beastmaker. Honestly, to call
them Sabbath worshipping may not even be a strong enough description.
You may ask yourself, if another Sabbath-esque sounding band is a
good thing. It isn't a good a thing...It is a fucking great thing!
Beastmaker hits the
darkest, doomiest, occult rock swagger possible. Inside the skull is
both an homage and an evolution on the sound we all know and love.
The only way I can think to say is that they absolutely, fucking
killed it! They have studied, made the beast, and unleashed it on the
world. So all you have to do is sit back and let it consume you.
The record sounds
perfect. It is not over produced, not under produced, the sound and
tone is spot on. The track list is perfect. They have modernized the
sound of Ozzy-era Sabbath. The songs are amazing. Every track is
filled with masterful riffs, they are catchy as hell, and filled with
the kind of dark, sinister lyrics we all know and love. And dammit if
vocalist/guitarist Trevor Church doesn't sound just like Ozzy. It is
freaking eerie at times. The band is tight, the rhythm section of
Andy Saldate and John Tucker are ferocious.
The record just oozes
the big bass, drum and guitar sound that fills me with equal parts
awe, jealousy, and appreciation for what I am hearing. The band has
that unmistakable Sabbath sounds, but there are also elements of some
of their past and present Rise Above label mates. There is some
definite Electric Wizard heaviness along with some of Uncle Acid's
creepy, garage psych fuzz.
Inside the Skull opens
with a stunning 1-2 punch. Big drums and riffs
open both Evil One and Heaven to Hell. These two lead into the dark
ethereal sound of Now Howls the Beast, which features some absolutely
stunning female vocals on the chorus. Of Gods Creation slows things
down a bit, while still bringing the big doom laden riff. Give Me a
Sign is probably the most Sabbath sounding vocal and is my favorite
track.
Nature of the Damned has a dare I say Alice in Chains vibe
about it. Psychic Visions is an epic piece of doom and is followed by
Inside the Skull which just continues the riff laden assault. Night
Bird is a bit of a bombastic riff with a definite psychedelic tinge.
The album closes with catchy, heavy bass chug of Sick Sick Demon.
Listen, I'm not going
to say that if you like Black Sabbath you should check out
Beastmaker. If you are reading this, you fucking love Sabbath. I will
say that if you are in the mood or have ever wondered what Sabbath
may have sounded like if they kept going (outside of 13...) you will
want to check this out. I swear there are some absolutely eerie
similarities. You will pick up parts that sound just like they fell
out of the first 6.
Dig it! Check this one out.
Inside
The Skull will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Rise AboveRecords from May 19th
2017.
Links:
