Release Date: October 04th 2021. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD
Damned To Earth - S/T - Tracklisting
1.Down in the Basement 04:24
2.Eye of the Storm 04:27
3.Coil of the Snake 06:11
4.Stone Magnet 04:42
5.Toe Licker 04:01
Review
Damned To Earth used to be known as Forest Evil who released a rather great album earlier this year which you can read my review here. However, the band soon parted ways with their lead singer and changed their name to Damned To Earth. What we have now is a powerhouse mix of Sludge Metal, Doom Metal and Stoner Metal with a Southern Metal flavour. Not necessarily NOLA based but you do hear certain twinges of the NOLA scene.
Their self-titled debut EP is a strong release and whilst by no means perfect it allows Damned To Earth to bring a heavy rocking mix to the Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal party. The EP is built from the ground up of stirring riffs and aggressive vocals. The lyrics aren’t the best in places but they get the job done and everything flows as it should.
The vocals have a certan “James Hetfield” vibe to them especially with the almighty YEAH's that appear on the excellent opening song Down IN The Basement. The instrumental work is solid with flashes of heavy Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves with that NOLA/Southern appeal. The record is quite gloomy but one that is full of “Street Level Grit” and a punchy attitude that becomes real on the storming 2nd song Eye Of The Storm.
The EP contains 5 tracks and is a well produced package with Damned To Earth bringing their heavy distorted Blues Rock sound to the Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal masses. Damned To Earth is a different beast to Forest Evil and dare I say a much better fit for everyone concerned especially the vocals. The vocals are sublime. It’s always hard for a band starting again from scratch with a new line-up, sound and identity but Damned To Earth have succeeded with everything on this record.
Sure, the band could have taken more bolder choices with their overall sound. However, this is still a rich and deeply satisfying EP that contains 5 slices of aggressive grooves that should keep your Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal hunger truly satisfied.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
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