Release
date: July
10th
2020.
Label: Self
Released.
Format: Cassette/DD
that
which speaks...
– Tracklisting
1.idolon
2.prolapse
3.[vessel]
4.condemnation
Members
Lead
Guitar & Vocals: Taylor D. Waring
Rhythm
Guitar & Vocals: Riley D. Moore
Bass:
Andrew Backes
Drums:
Lucas Wild Barrey
Review
that
which speaks… is the debut EP from Psychedelic Sludge/Doom/Stoner
Riffsters – Merlock – and this is my first excursion to their
trippy and very surreal take on all things Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal.
Merlock show a wealth of different creative ideas and sounds on this
album that took me quite a few listens to fully admire and
appreciate. The album switches from harsh Post-Doom environments to
more straight-forward Sludge/Stoner Metal surroundings that make you
wonder that certain parts of the album were made by multiple
different bands.
The
EP is very LOUD and Merlock thrive on that fact whilst adding a
trippy Spaced Out or Sludge-Gaze sound that even has traces of
classic and true sounding Heavy Metal that helps make the rough
sounding parts of the record even more thrilling and authentic.
The
EP has 4 tracks with Merlock showing they aren’t afraid to
experiment with their music and offering a “Death/Doom” style of
vocals on certain parts of the album. Though, there are some truly
inspired theatrical and OTT vocals to give “that which speaks...”
that something little bit different to offer.
The
record can be downright bleak and nasty in places but it’s the huge
sounding Psychedelic and Progressive moments where Merlock impressed
myself the most. As you begin to explore and understand their music
more with some epic riffs being played along the way. The EP is quite
raw in places and has a more organic feel compared to other records
that I’ve listened to recently.
All
of the songs ran between 7 minutes and 8 minutes in length and
Merlock have a lot of time to play with to refine and perfect their
highly experimental style of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal, The
second half of the EP is perhaps the strongest part of the record
with the final two songs of [vessel] and condemnation having the
better sounds and ideas on the record. Though, as one epic release,
Merlock have released a thrilling and adventurous EP that harks back
to the early days of Mastodon with their style of Progressive Sludge
based guitars and ideas written for this release.
If
this is classed as an EP then I’m truly excited to hear what
Merlock can do with a full length album. As no doubt everything will
be bigger, bolder and even crazier to what is to be found on “that
which speaks...” - Until then, this EP from Merlock is the type of
record that the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community needs right now.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Leanne at Mettle Media PR for the promo. "that which speaks..." will be available
to buy on Cassette/DD from July 10th 2020
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