Thursday 12 October 2017

GROUND - I (Album Review)


Release date: September 15th 2017. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

I – Tracklisting

1.Ritual 04:43
2.Penumbra 05:48
3.Destello 06:01
4.Implora 05:02
5.Tormenta 08:25
6.Cazador 08:03
7.Destierro 05:15
8.Inmundo 06:13
9.Maldito 05:35
10.Cenizas 05:42

Members

Marcos Cordo - Guitars, bass, vocals.
Isaac Malagón - Drums, vocals.

Review

Spanish Sludge/Stoner/Doom Metal duo – Ground – debut album is not the most original of sounds but that doesn't stop the album being a violent delight from start to finish. Taking cues from bands such as CONAN, High On Fire, Galvano, Sleep and Black Cobra, Ground add a more punk and fast-paced sound. Tracks such as Ritual, Penumbra, Implora and Tormenta come flying at you with the band not stopping for a single second.

The music veers from heavy sludge/doom riffs to a more High On Fire frenzied stoner metal sound. The vocals are very good indeed with both Marcos and Isaac showing off their fantastic pissed off vocal range.

The second half of the album perhaps features the heaviest moments on the album with songs such as Destierro, Inmundo, Maldito and Cenizas giving their more famous counterparts a run for their money especially in the LOUD VOLUME stakes. Maybe Ground have been slightly over-ambitious with the length of some of their songs. As most of the songs run past the 5 minute mark.

Though you can't complain that you're not getting value for money as the album runs for over an hour. Ground managed to get hold of Brad Boatright at Audiosiege to master the album and that's another recommendation to check the band out.

If you want a straight forward and classic sounding Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal album then this is the album for you.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

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