Wednesday 22 January 2020

Goblinsmoker - A World In Haze, A World Ablaze (EP Review)


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.

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