Release Date: April 25th 2025. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl.
Violence Dimension - Tracklisting
1.Foeman's Flesh
2.Desolation Hexx
3.Total Bicep
4.Violence Dimension
5.Frozen Edges Of The Wound
6.Warpsword
7.Ocean Of Boiling Skin
8.Vortexxion
Members:
Jon Davis - Vocals/Guitars
Johnny King - Drums
David Ryley - Bass
Review
Violence Dimension is the new album from Doom/Sludge Metal legends CONAN and their first for new powerhouse label Heavy Psych Sounds. This record is quite a throwback to their earlier records but still maintaining their recent level of pure destructive heaviness. CONAN continue with their devastating style of Droned Out soundscapes which adds a more ice-cold effect to their own blend of CAVEMAN DOOM which is always imitated but never bettered especially on this record.
CONAN surround themselves with bass heavy and sonic fuelled sounds of their own cosmic making which stay beautifully heavy throughout with the stunning opening track Foeman’s Flesh with this track running over nine minutes in length. There are different levels of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal with a deft technical melody appearing with Jon Davis’s trademark vocals making a long overdue return to the world of CAVEMAN DOOM. The aura of Psychedelic and Drone based textures adds an of mystery to proceedings whilst still keeping with the full on harsh brutality that is still superbly melodic at the same time.
Sometimes Violence Dimension does feel like a companion piece to the recently released UNGRAVEN debut album (Hollows Made Homes In Their Sunken Cheeks) with the surreal Drone aspects that this record contains. Though, mostly it’s CONAN perfecting their classic style of full-on Doom/Sludge Metal which also has a modern SHAMANIC approach on certain parts of the record especially on tracks such as Desolation Hexx, Total Bicep and Violence DImension. The majority of the tracks run past the nine minutes mark with this perhaps being the most progressive leaning record of their career to date.
There are a lot more Thrash based elements which doesn’t dilute the core Doom, Sludge and Stoner aspect of their trademark sound. This allows the heavier and more extreme growls to make themselves known with. Another highlight is the addition of David Ryley on Bass Guitar from UK Sludge Metal legends FUDGE TUNNEL who Jon is a massive fan. I loved FUDGE TUNNEL back in the day and David adds a classic level of extreme heaviness which allows CONAN to soar to new heights especially on the later stages of the record.
Johnny King once again puts in a brutal and blistering performance on Dimension Violence and I will have to say this is his best performance I’ve heard from him. He’s absolutely lethal throughout but shows a sense of calm and intelligence within the quieter moments of the album.
Other standout tracks on the album are: Frozen Edges Of The Wound, Ocean Of Boiling Skin and Vortexxion (which is a track that appears on the Deluxe Edition only).
The fantastical themes and lyrics allows CONAN’s imagination to run wild which has been a major part of the band’s career for the best part of two decades now and it’s good to see that aspect of their creative work hasn’t been watered down but perhaps amplified to match the newfound level of heaviness they demonstrate on the record.
Violence Dimension allows CONAN to do what they do best and that’s delivering some of the heaviest and fuzzed up grooves known to the underground DOOM METAL scene that firmly solidates CONAN as one of the most incendiary and legendary acts currently around today.
This will surely end up becoming the DOOM METAL album of the year and is already in my top three favourite records of the year so far. I don’t think it will be beaten on both of those aspects. My advice is to add this classic record to your collection as soon as you can.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the details
New album "Violence Dimension" - Out April 25th on Heavy Psych Sounds
International preorder - US preorder
International preorder - US preorder
CONAN links
