Release Date: December 10th 2021. Record Label: Lifeblood Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl/Tape
Blood Of The Old Gods - Tracklisting
The Betrayer
Judgement And Exile
Crooked Timber Of Humanity
The Reclaimer
Cascade Immolator
Blood Of The Old Gods
Haunted
Members
Paul Aloisio - Vocals and Guitars
Jon Gusman - Drums
Marc Morello - Bass
Review
Blood Of The Old Gods is the new album from Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metallers Restless Spirit and is inspired by the teachings of Baroness and Mastodon with the band channelling that style of music the bands are known for. However, this is a more spacier effort with Restless Spirit channelling other classic timelines of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. This remains a wonderfully progressive album with Restless Spirit bringing their own spin on the Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metal genre.
The first song The Betrayer is a semi acoustic/ambient style instrumental Post-Doom offering that brings a sense of realism to the album before the heavy grooves fully kick in. Lasting under two minutes, this song is still an excellent solo piece that is an essential part of the album.
Second song Judgement And Exile is where the album really moves up a gear with a non-stop style of melodic Psychedelic and Progressive blend of Sludge/Stoner Metal with the song appealling to fans of FORMING THE VOID and Pallbearer with a twinge of Crowbar style sludgy riffage. The vocals are frantic but a winning style for the creative vision that Restless Spirit conjure up with this release. The slower Post-Doom/Post-Stoner moments with soaring vocals are the best part of this song and perhaps the album. As Restless Spirit fully bring a true cinematic vision within the songs epic eight minute plus runtime.
This is a concept album which you can read about below:
Blood of the Old Gods is a concept album focused around the idea of going against the status quo and defying a society built around gratification through excess manipulation and deception. The realization that your heroes, your friends, your family can sometimes be the worst perpetrators of the things you despise. It tells the struggle of simply doing what you feel is right and while we are told that this is an easy task, it simply is not always true. This world is due for a change, as destructive as the path forward may be."
The album runs for thirty nine minutes but Restless Spirit cover a lot of ground due to the heavy subject matter but this is still quite a fun ride that offers plenty moments of HUGE SOUNDING upbeat moments. Restless Spirit have written a a great concept album that focuses on music, story and lyrical content in equal measure. Taking a “Mastodon” methodical approach with their story but never forgetting about the music and giving the listener a batch of fantastic songs to listen to even if they’re not fully sold with the albums story.
Blood Of The Old Gods is a masterclass of Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metal with all of the songs being equally as good as each other. The dynamic between this power-trio is simply superb when they let fly with their Psychedelic and Spaced Out grooves before bringing a thunderous Sludgy based Doom/Stoner Metal riff out of nowhere. There are riffs aplenty when lodged between ambient soundscapes so if you’re a riff-hound looking for your next fix then look no further with this record.
Other great tracks to check out are: Crooked Timber Of Humanity, Cascade Immolater and the epic final two songs of Blood Of The Old Gods and Haunted offering of almost 16 minutes of progressive and punishing based vibes which showcase the true creative power of Restless Spirit.
First rate production values can be heard throught this album and allows Restless Spirit to release one of the best albums of the year even at this late stage. Prepare yourself for a first-rate musical adventure where the “THE RIFF IS KING”.....
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo,
Blood Of The Old Gods will be available to buy on CD/DD/VInyl/Tape via Lifesblood Records from December 10th 2021.
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