Release Date: May 09th 2025. Record Label: Argonauta Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
III - Tracklisting
When Darkness Comes
Old Man
Ishtar
Bloodlust
Risen
Boy in the Crow’s Nest
Azazel
Dissolution
Devil’s Gallow
Review
III is the new album from Heavy Stoner Rockers THAMMUZ who move away from their Desert Rock roots to a heavier style of Southern Metal and NOLA sound with this record having quite an aggressive lo-fi feeling compared to their previous albums. I can see why comparisons to WO FAT and Orange Goblin have been made for this album with III having a heavier feel with THAMMUZ still in complete control of their music. The sound is quite self contained in places with the band employing a downbeat real life energy within the lyrics but keeping within the Stoner Rock/Metal world.
The flashes of Fuzz and Psychedelic beats are always a major part of THAMMUZ’s overall sound and they inject a solid backline of Sludge Rock grooves which are fully realized and delivered within the opening batch of tracks such as When Darkness Comes, Old Man and Ishtar.
THAMMUZ are very direct with their music with minimal signs of progressive melodies with the songs being part of the “OLD SCHOOL” mentality of underground Stoner based music though there are subtle glimpses of Doom and Gloom within the darker depths of the record. The record is aggressively melodic with some cool use of soundclips and glitchy sonic themes which gives the album an almost “GRINDHOUSE” feel.
There’s an air of PARANOIA in the atmosphere with THAMMUZ taking a central APOCALYPTIC stance on the standout fourth track Bloodlust which is quite creepy and provocative at the same time. Distorted moments of bass-heavy grooves, over the top vocals and thrash leaning instrumental passages shows how THAMMUZ feel like a different band compared to their previous records. The transformation is quite remarkable especially within the heavier and violent sounds the record wonderfully contains.
THAMMUZ fully sealed their DOOMED OUT makeover with seedy and filthy sounds on tracks such as Risen, Azazel, Dissolution and Devil’s Gallow. There are still moments of mellow musical interplay which is quite refreshing to hear but it’s played against a wall of harsh psychedelics and hazy soundscapes. THAMMUZ have created their first true DOOM METAL record which could allow the band to aim for bigger and better things in the future.
III is an excellent record from THAMMUZ and the DIY sounding production values allows this to be quite a dangerous album that dedicated followers from the underground scene will no doubt think the same way.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo.
III will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from Friday 09th May 2025 via Argonauta Records.
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