Thursday 16 May 2019

Doomstress - Sleep Among The Dead (Album Review)


Release date: May 10th 2019. Label: DHU Records (Vinyl) / Ripple Music (CD). Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Sleep Among The Dead – Tracklisting

1.Bitter Plea 04:24
2.Burning Lotus 04:32
3.Dreaming Spider 05:06
4.Your God Is Blind 05:50
5.Bones and Rust 06:20
6.Apathetic Existence 07:54
7.Sleep Among the Dead 06:56

Members

Doomstress Alexis
Brandon Johnson
Matt Taylor
Tomasz Scull

Review

Texas based Doom/Stoner Metal collective – Doomstress – return with their debut album Sleep Among The Dead and this album proves why the band are very highly thought of within the Doom/Stoner Metal community. The album is being released on Ripple Music and DHU Records. Two of the best independent labels currently working within the scene today.

You may recognise the members of Doomstress from the highly regarded Doom Metal outfit Project Armageddon and Sparrowmilk.

This album sees Doomstress play a heavier and progressive style of Doom Metal compared to their previous releases The album does have modern sounding Stoner Rock/Metal riffs appearing on certain stages of the album. Doomstress have added a more reflective and personal feel to their music. Alexis vocals are passionate and angry as ever. However, Alexis still manages to show her caring and nurturing side on this album.

The songs are quite complex and gloomy in places and I admire Doomstress creative choices they’ve made with this album especially when the heavier Sludge Metal vibes appear. Truth be told, this album feels like a greatest hits collection than a debut album. As all of the songs are great as each other. Doomstress provide a thrilling and personal experience that you don’t normally hear on a band’s debut album. As some of the lyrical content cuts right to the bone and gives the album a more nuanced feel.

If I had to pick songs on the album for people to listen to then I would recommend - Bitter Plea, Burning Lotus, Dreaming Spider, Apathetic Existence and Sleep Among The Dead. As these are the songs where Doomstress impress the most with their own distinctive style of Doom/Stoner Metal.

The production is superb and allows Doomstress the time, energy and space to branch out into the different areas of Hard Rock/Metal the album expertly play from start to finish. Overall, Doomstress have released a wonderful sounding and highly emotional debut album that you won’t easily forget for a long time to come.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Jadd at Red Lead Media PR for the promo. Sleep Among The Dead is available to buy on CD/DD via Ripple Music and Vinyl via DHU Records now.

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