Release
date: February
7th
2020.
Label: Sludgelord
Records.
Format: Cassette/DD
A
World In Haze, A World Ablaze
- Tracklisting
1.Smoked
in Darkness
2.Let
Them Rot
3.The
Forest Mourns
Members
A
- Guitars, vocals
M
- Bass
C
- Drums
Review
Goblinsmoker
return with their latest EP – A World In Haze, A World Ablaze –
and it carries on their distorted, trippy and down-tuned
Sludge/Doom/Stoner hybrid sound. The EP is actually quite a clever
release with it’s progressive sound and interesting song titles
that all add up for a more disturbing taste of WEEDIAN inspired
sounds.
The
EP has three songs and runs for about twenty six minutes in length
but this record feels like a full-length record as the band use their
time wisely to create a rich and highly fulfilling album that’s got
so many dark great riffs to it.
Opening
song – Smoked In Darkness – is nine minutes of heavily played
down-tuned Sludge grooves that have a slight NOLA feel to them with
the band carefully plotting an intricate style of Doom/Sludge Metal
that is thick and brutally heavy from the start. The vocals are used
sparingly but are excellent when they appear. The music always drowns
out the vocals on this song but lead vocalist “A”
holds his own against the pounding riffs that the band have included
on this record. I feel the band are inspired by early-era THOU on
this release but still maintaining a slightly distorted Stoner Metal
vibe that is quite refreshing to hear.
Second
song – Let Them Rot – another long round of aggressive
Doom/Sludge Metal which the band make no apologies for. The dark
psychedelic vibe lurks in the background with the band slowly playing
a trippy blend of Post-Doom atmospherics before the bleak and
nihilistic Sludge Metal riffs appear. Goblinsmoker take their time
with song and it builds upto a nightmarish atmosphere that leaves you
wanting more. This is perhaps the standout song on the EP with
Goblinsmoker making no apologies for their deliberately slow paced
style of Doom/Sludge Metal which oozes menace at each passing second.
Third
song – The Forest Mourns – is the final song with the band
continuing their blend of progressive bleak riffs and dark lyrical
content that makes you think what is being said in the overall
context of the song. This song is more “riff-centric” compared to
the other two songs on the EP. As the band play a more familiar style
of Doom/Sludge Metal with a deep thumping bass leading the way. The
song continues with the overall bleak theme of the EP but the band
don’t feel as aggressive but this song still allows the EP to
finish on a high.
A
World In Haze, A World Ablaze allows Goblinsmoker to develop their
sound even further compared to their previous EP and makes you
realize that we need a full length album from these guys as soon as
possible. This is a quality release from a band that I want to hear
more from. If you’re looking for your next addictive fix of bleak
and progressive Doom/Sludge Metal, then please look no further.
Goblinsmoker are that band.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Curtis
at Dewar
PR for the promo. A World In Haze, A World Ablaze will
be available to buy on from
Sludgelord Records from 7th
Feb 2020.
Links:
