Release Date: December 01st 2023. Record Label: Hawar Press. Formats: DD/Cassette
The Wrath King - Tracklisting
1.Tales of The White Tiger 05:26
2.Age of Apocalypse 05:22
3.Bad Excursion (D-Std) 05:04
4.Metaphorical Speech (D-Std) 04:21
Review
Indonesian Doom/Stoner Metallers Jawless return with their new EP The Wrath King which uses local Indonesian folklore for it’s main creative themes within the lyrics on the first two tracks of Tales Of The White Tiger and Age Of Apocalypse. The final two tracks Bad Excursion and Metaphorical Speech are new reworked and re-imagined tracks off their 2022 debut album Warrizer.
The Wrath King is a collection of fast-paced Doom/Stoner Metal grooves with an aggressive Heavy Psychedelic sound which has a more primal Thrash/Speed Metal flow to them both. The music is quite intense with a harsh metallic feel which allows Jawless to play a classic style of guitar shredding along the way. Taking cues from bands such as KYUSS, Monster Magnet, Metallica and Motorhead for a sound that is quite contemporary especially with the solemn mood changes within Tales Of The White Tiger.
Second track Age Of Apocalypse has a more grounded Doom Metal sound with crunching guitars solos and a sound that moves into Southern Metal or Sludgecore in places but the constant Psychedelic sounds impress the most. Jawless are a lot more focused here compared to their excellent debut album especially with the intense vocals and technical proficiency that appear within the first two tracks alone. Jawless combine the worlds of Classic Heavy Metal and modern day Psychedelic energy with real storytelling flair.
The final songs Bad Excursion and Metaphorical Speech have undertaken a slight creative makeover with the songs being consistently tighter and heavier compared to the original visions.
The Wrath King allows Jawless to expand their creative vision to greater heights and allow a greater insight into the Indonesian Doom/Stoner Metal underground scene. With a progressive attitude being included on the EP then Jawless could be onto something special here and maybe branch out even further within the global Doom/Stoner Metal scene.
Words by Steve Howe
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