Release
date: May 26th 2017. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD
Astral:
Death/Birth – Tracklisting
1.Astral Death 07:46
2.Astral Birth 12:16
Members:
Big Dog (guitar)
Joe E. Deliverance (drums &
vox)
Deaf Hank (bass & lead vox)
Review
Firstly I have to
apologize to Dö for not reviewing their excellent debut album –
Tuho – which was released last year. Sometimes I miss albums when
they're originally released and that was one of those times. I'm not
making the same mistake with Dö superb new EP – Astral:
Death/Birth. A twenty minute two song EP which is packed with
delicious dark stoner/sludge/doom riffs.
With these guys being
from Finland, you can expect heavy riffs from the start. Opening
track – Astral Death – is an ugly sounding track at times with
Deaf Hank's vocals providing a nightmarish feel. Dö's sound has a
slight punk based vibe and the sound can be very raw at times but it
allows the band to merge different sounds for quite an unsettling
feel. Deaf Hank's vocals veer from clean based growls to almost
death/harsh vocals.
Second track – Astral
Birth – is a more upbeat track with the band returning to their
earlier spaced out sounds. A different contrast to the opening track
and this is perhaps the standout track on the EP. Dö play slow-paced
riffs with moments of ambient noises interacting with the Doom/Stoner
riffs being played in the background. Dö feel they were influenced
by BONG at times as this track has an Ambient Doom feel to it. Though
the band return to the EP's heavier sludge/doom metal roots as the
once upbeat vibe is obliterated to kingdom come with pissed off
vocals and riffs.
Truth be told I wanted
the band to keep on playing their more psychedelic stoner based sound
as it was a cool contrast to the opening track. The EP leaves you
slightly depressed and wanting more at the same time. Astral:
Death/Birth is another winning release from Dö and long-time fans of
the band will find much to enjoy here.
Excellent and Highly
Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
