Release
date: November
19th
2018. Label: Self
Released.
Format: DD
Wicked
Worlds
– Tracklisting
Time
Of Purification
Richard
Dreyfuss
Dunsinane
Early
Warning
Greenseer
A
Song For Jorklum
Return
To Samarakand
Members
Shaun
Anzalone
Dylan
Edwards
Matt
Wagner
Adam
McGrath
Review
Wicked
Worlds is the new album from Doom/Stoner Metallers Birnam Wood. This
is their second album and another band I wasn’t fully aware of.
This is my first awareness of the band and I’ve became a fan of
their heavy Doom/Stoner Metal grizzled sound with a mighty WEEDIAN
vibe
running throughout the album.
The
band take influence from bands such as Black Sabbath, Red Fang and
Sleep. Though Birnam Wood are not afraid to experiment with the
standard Doom/Stoner Metal sound by adding elements of Hardcore
grooves into their music.
Opening
song – Time Of Perfection - opens with a hard-hitting speech which
made me initially expect to hear a more extreme kind of music. I was
surprised when the band play a heavy style of Sludge/Stoner Rock
underlined by a classic Doom Rock sound. This song reminds me of
much-missed UK Sludge Rockers – TAINT
– in so many ways especially with the vocals.
Second
song – Richard Dreyfuss – goes straight for the Sludge/Stoner
Rock jugular with a heavy pounding and melodic sound. You can hear
traces of that classic Sabbath/SLEEP sound but with more sinister and
heavier grooves. Birnam Wood splice the song with soundbytes from
various Richard Dreyfuss movies. A very cool touch indeed.
Third
song – Dunsinane
– has a more classic doomed approach with the music not as heady as
the opening two songs. The vocals have a slight Ozzy feel. The mood
of the album and this song in general is action packed and shows you
how the band include so many different sounds into their music.
Don’t
worry; I’m not going to do a song-by-song review for the rest of
the album. As the rest of the album follows the same heavy
progressive path as the opening three songs. The standout songs on
this part of the album have to be Early Warning and Return To
Samarkand. Though all of the songs on this album are great. As Birnam
Wood manage to keep the mood exciting and fresh.
Birnam
Wood always remember what type of band they are and they never decide
to do anything flashy or OTT. This album is one that will capture the
hearts and minds of the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community. As there
is something for everyone to admire this album a great deal.
Overall,
Birnam Wood have released a brilliantly entertaining and must have
album that you need to own now.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Birnam
Wood for the promo.
Wicked
Worlds will be available to buy on
November 19th 2018.
You can hear an exclusive song premiere of Dunsinane from the forthcoming new album.
You can hear an exclusive song premiere of Dunsinane from the forthcoming new album.
