Release Date: June 02nd 2023. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records / Evil Noise Recordings. Formats: Cassette/CD/DD/Vinyl
Paleolithic War Crimes: Tracklisting
Psychedelic Man
Blood Meridian
Among Stone Columns
Bone Cave Escape
Nothing To Come
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Supralux Voyager
Members
Mads Melvold - Vocals/Strings/Keys
Adam Suleiman - Drums/Percussion
Review
Paleolithic War Crimes is the new album from underground Doom/Stoner Rock Heroes Saint Karloff and it's the first album since the passing of their much missed and highly regarded bassist Ole Sletner who sadly passed away in 2021. Ole was a founding member of the band and his memory is honoured on this album with Ole's brother Elvind Sletner writing the lyrics for the album.
Saint Karloff continue with the fine grooves heard on their last album with a more confident style of Seventies Doom Metal and Swirling Psych Rock which gives the band a modern clearer sound with the heavy FUZZED OUT beats merging into a Freakier style of Spaced Out Doom/Stoner Rock. You can feel this new creative approach within the WEEDIAN and TRIPPY boundaries of the excellent opening song Psychedelic Men. Inspired by the wave of Seventies Doom Metal bands such as Black Sabbath and Saint Vitus but with a more Progressive feel. The vocals and lyrics are top-tier with Saint Karloff having demented fun along the way.
Second song Blood Meridian is another KICK-ASS Doom/Stoner Rock anthem where the instrumental work leads the way for the first minute or so before Mads Melvold atmospheric classic vocals appear. Taking a Spaced Out sound that would make KADAVAR proud. Saint Karloff ease their Stoner themes into the Vintage Doom/Space Rock stylings that can be wonderfully LOUD, AGGRESSIVE and CATCHY at the same time. The Psychedelic and Cosmic leanings of the track allows Saint Karloff to play more Blues Rock based extended instrumental jams with a cool sideline in moments of blissful Psychedelic Freakouts.
Third song Among Stone Columns is a subdued Post-Doom/Post-Rock instrumental song which is quite reflective and perhaps meant as a fitting tribute to Ole. As the song has a wonderfully peaceful sound that offers moments of remembrance and clarity with the semi-acoustic nature of the track. One of the standout moments musically speaking with Saint Karloff playing a different style of music to engage you more on a spiritual level.
Fourth song Bone Cave Escape throws Saint Karloff back front and centre into the Doom/Stoner Rock stratosphere with the music being more fast-paced but with a Classic Hard Rock and Garage Rock edge. The sound ultimately remains WEEDIAN based but the stunning rebellious vocals from Mads Melvold have quite a soulful 1960's edge to them. Shades of The Who and Led Zepp appear on this track with Saint Karloff paying homage to the Classic Hard Rock era with moments of Heavy Stoner Rock beats being wholly melodic from start to finish.
The final three tracks of Nothing To Come, Death Don't Have No Mercy and Supralux Voyager allows Saint Karloff to embrace styles of Prog Rock, Acoustic Rock and Folk Rock on this part of the album especially on Nothing To Come. Fans of Jethro Tull and Deep Purple will no doubt love Nothing To Come with the different musical styles, vocal harmonies and guitar sounds that appear on this track.
Death Don't Have No Mercy and Spuralux Voyager allows Saint Karloff to return to their boisterous and highly energetic form of Psych/Doom/Stoner Rock grooves with a more ferocious drive to the music which is another winning style for the band to impress their fanbase with.
Aided by first rate production values, Paleolithic War Crimes is a fitting and loving tribute to Ole Sletner and allows Saint Karloff to release one of their most engaging,technically impressive and brilliantly entertaining albums to date.
Paleolithic War Crimes is another must have release from Saint Karloff who are fast becoming one of the most essential acts from the Underground Doom/Stoner Rock scenes.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Sheltered Life PR and Majestic Mountain Records for the promo.
Paleolithic War Crimes will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Majestic Mountain Records and Cassette via Evil Noise Recordings from Friday June 02nd 2023.
Links
Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
