Release Date: July 15th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
In Darkness… Have Mercy - Tracklisting
1.MISERY
2.MESSIAH
3.VALUE THE SUFFERING
4.BLESSED ARE THE CURSED’ 25
Members
Jon "Fro" Torres - Vocals/Bass
Carlos Martinez - Guitar
Ian Henneforth - Drums
Review
Doom/Stoner Metallers Psalm return after a four year absence and with a revised line-up with Jon”Fro” Torres being the only member left from their excellent 2021 EP - Blessed Are The Cursed. Jon is joined by Carlos Martinez on Guitar and Ian Henneforth on Drums. This version of Psalm is a heavier, doomier and groovier unit compared to previous one especially on their new EP - In Darkness… Have Mercy.
In Darkness… Have Mercy sees Psalm conjure up visions of the golden era of Proto-Doom with influences such as Trouble, Pentagram, Saint Vitus and The Obsessed starting to appear. However, there’s a sense of Groove Metal surroundings that you can hear as well. Though, Psalm most definitely believes in the power of the ALMIGHTY RIFF and puts their authoritative stamp on proceedings. I can hear other old school influences such as Black Sabbath, Led Zepp and Pantera being thrown about. Psalm play their own great sound which moves from Old School Heavy Metal to modern day Stoner/Sludge Rock with a ton of FUZZY guitars being added.
Opening track Misery is a throwback to the good old days of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal with Psalm bridging the gap between both eras with relevant ease with a great sense of melody and catchy aggressive melodies which the Groove Metal era of music becomes quite dominant on the later stages of the track. Jon “Fro” Torres vocals are excellent and he fully commits to the role which has a deep emotional range throughout.
Second song Messiah is a Groove, Sludge and Proto-Metal driven sound with Psalm adding layers of Post-Doom atmospherics within the lyrics and vocals used for the song. The song is mostly inspired by Pantera and Alice In Chains at times with Psalm never losing their true Proto-Doom creative energy. Perhaps the most emotionally engaging track on the EP which offers serious firepower in the VOLUME department where Psalm gets down and dirty playing a grizzled style of Doom/Stoner Metal.
The final two tracks of Value The Suffering and Blessed Are The Cursed is where Psalm use a destructive HEAVY METAL approach with a great style of bravado and muscular sounds being quite realistic and grounded. Psalm always allow themselves ample opportunities to prove what great musicians they really are with Carlos Martinez intense guitars, Ian Henneforth bombastic drumming and Jon’s epic bass sounds creating a whole destructive instrumental force that never goes out of fashion whatever style of music you’re playing or currently listening to.
There’s something for everyone who is a true fan and dedicated follower of HEAVY METAL within In Darkness… Have Mercy. This is a first rate EP from Psalm and I’m looking forward to their next creative chapter.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.
In Darkness… Have Mercy is available to buy from all good digital stockists now. Cassette, CD and Vinyl releases will be released at a later date.
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