Release Date: May 19th 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: Cassette/DD
Sacred Is Not Divine: Tracklisting
Doom Perspection Of The Astral Frequency (0-1)
Six Scalps For Six Sounds
Cult Of Abysmus
Plutomb Engrave In Reality
Review
Sacri Suoni is an Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal band formed from the ashes of Stoned Monkey. Though, Sacri Suoni are a different beast compared to that band. As the band play a heavier cosmic style of music with the primary focus on AMPLIFIER DISTORTED grooves and Psychedelic jams which has a layer of Spaced Out Heaviness. Influenced by bands such as CONAN, Electric Wizard and Vinnum Sabbathi, these guys show a real dynamic flair with their style of music on their epic debut album Sacred Is Not Divine.
The album is purely instrumental with a wide range of SONIC EXPERIMENTATION being used for the Doom Metal aspects of the album. Add a cinematic based Post-Rock/Post-Metal sensibility which is used to great effect on the outstanding opening song Doom Perspection Of The Astral Frequency (0-1) which tells you what to expect for this track and the rest of the album. Bone-crunching Sludge/Stone Metal grooves that are brutally heavy for the first part of the song. However, Sacri Suoni changes creative style and direction on the later stages for a mellow and subdued Post-Stoner and Ambient based track. The elements of Space Rock and Psych Rock collide in wonderful fashion when the heavier moments appear with a first rate Progressive feel.
Second song Six Scalps For Six Sounds has a more cautious approach with sludgy sounds merging with strands of Psychedelic Rock. The music can be quite JAZZY in places but the song moves up a gear when Sacri Suoni return to their Sludge/Stoner Metal roots and deliver some of the most powerful FUZZ based grooves on the album. The song is quite moody and challenging in places but Sacri Suoni plays delicate touches of Psychedelic Doom and Ambient Metal which offers a more cinematic feel to the album.
Third track Cult Of Abysmus is the longest track on the album running past the thirteen minutes mark. The song is perhaps the standout track on the album with the band playing a more threatening style of music which offers a more WEEDIAN based sound even with the gloomier and sludgier aspects of the song. Sacri Suoni plays more complex and progressive grooves which works amazingly well with the Cosmic/Space Rock elements of the album. There's a high amount of extended jams and sonic experimentation which can be quite deafening in places.
The final track Plutomb Engraved In Reality offers Sacri Suoni one final chance to play their highly anthemic blend of Cosmic Doom Metal with aggressive outbursts of Sludge and Stoner Metal. The Ambient and Psychedelic elements are dialled down for this track. However, the band remains focused on playing a more direct style of music that perhaps allows Sacri Suoni to play the most technical parts of the album on this song alone.
Sacred Is Not Divine does feature a high amount of Guitar Reverb and Amplifier Feedback which gives Sacri Muoni a different style of heaviness compared to similar sounding bands. Excellent production values allows Sacri Suoni to play a devastating style of Instrumental Sludge/Stoner Metal which should allow the band to make a name for themselves within the underground scene.
This is an Album Of The Year Contender and if you're a dedicated follower of the Instrumental Sludge/Stoner Metal scene then you would be wise to add this brilliant album to your collection.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Sacri Suoni for the promo.
Sacred Is Not Divine will be available to buy on Cassette and Download from Friday 19th May 2023.
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