Release Date: August 22nd 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Crimson Throne: Tracklisting
1.Neutransmiter of Dark Shepherd into Humanoid 23:29
2.Tarrasque 06:26
3.St.renate (guardian) ft.nekrobonbon of deathgang 07:49
Members
Guitar : Geras
Bass : Patub
Drums : Sandy
Synth : Nekrobonbon
Review:
Crimson Throne is the debut album from Indonesian outfit Rexxar who play a longer and droned out style of Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal. The album remains firmly in the Distorted and Down-Tempo style of Doom/Stoner Metal with Rexxar having a bleak creative outlook as well. Taking cues from bands such as BONGRIPPER, SUNN O))) and BONG with the focus for Rexxar of playing the heaviest sounds and playing these for the longest time possible. Though, the band show a fine style of playing intense instrumental Psychedelic grooves that have a lot of AMPLIFIER DISTORTION and GUITAR REVERB throughout the album.
Opening song Neutransmiter of Dark Shepherd into Humanoid lasts an eye-watering twenty three minutes plus with Rexxar playing a slow-to-mid pace delivery with their sound. The song is highly atmospheric with subtle OCCULT overtones and heavy pounding sludgy instruments that will soon become part of the listener’s psyche for its mammoth length. The production values can be quite flawed in places but for the most part this album sounds superbly well put together. Rexxar keep moving along into multiple different areas of LOW & SLOW brutality with the music being quite melodic in places.
The other two tracks on the album Tarrasque and St.renate (guardian) are both on the shorter side lasting between seven and eight minutes each in length. The music is faster and has a heavier creative approach which could even be considered more Thrash based within the track Tarrasque. Traces of Space Rock make their way into the mix with Rexxar playing areas of Psychedelic Cosmic Doom which brings a whole different level of heaviness to the album. The music becomes more daring with Rexxar showing a great eye for tone and melody on these two tracks alone.
St. renate (guardian) features a guest appearance from nekrobonbon of ace Indonesian Doom/Stoner Metallers DEATHGANG (who released a sublime album back in 2020 who I’m hoping will release new music soon), this is my favourite track on the album. As the band play with a “LESS IS MORE” delivery for this track and this allows them to play the most interesting grooves on the album. Maybe, not the heaviest but one that ultimately held my interest more especially with Rexxar showing a fine creative eye for Psychedelic and Sonic manipulation for the early stages of the song.
Crimson Throne is a fantastic and wonderfully surreal Doom/Stoner Metal experience and showcases another great band to check out from the Indonesian Doom/Stoner Metal underground scene.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
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