Release Date: October 30th 2026. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Hin Håle Blues - Tracklist
1.Our King is Forever
2.Bringer of Light
3.Walking the Left Hand Path
4.The End of Time
5.Hornæus
6.Come to me Witches
Review
Doom/Stoner Metallers Laser Dracul return after a six year absence with their second album Hin Håle Blues which sees the band offer a heavier, darker and menacing sound compared to their acclaimed 2020 debut album. The band have aligned themselves more closely to the likes of Electric Wizard with their bleakly distorted vision having a classic OCCULT DOOM METAL energy appearing within the lyrics and music written for the album.
Hin Håle Blues means “The Devil’s Blues” in English, well according to GOOGLE but I’m happy to be corrected on that score. Laser Dracul employs a seedy Seventies Metal delivery within the early stages of the record that branches out into areas of Fuzz, Psych Rock and Stoner Metal with a record that never feels OLD or completely out of fashion. The songs are wonderfully constructed with Laser Dracul adding some classic OCCULT and HALLOWEEN themes into their music with a grizzled sludgy atmosphere allowing the music to perhaps be more modern within tracks Our King Is Forever and Bringer Of Light.
The pounding rhythm section has that classic SABBATHIAN energy that emits a ton of amplified distortion that lurks silently in the background before aiming for a complete control within the heaviest sounds of the album. Laser Dracul never play over the top, flashy or progressive grooves as they fully commit themselves into developing a great style of vintage Doom/Stoner Metal with superb modern psychedelic touches adding a real sense of urgency to everything.
The lyrics are superbly rooted within the Doom Metal and Occult folklore but offer a grounded take that allows Laser Dracul to deliver some violent harsh growls on certain stages of the record. The majority of the vocals are clean based but be prepared for a certain Blackened Doom approach to develop.
The main bulk of the music is powered through a gloomy mix of distorted sounds and down-tuned instrumental passages that can be quite isolated and solitary on tracks such as Bringer Of Light, Walking The Left Hand Path and Hornæus being my favourite tracks on the album. The level of Blues Rock/Metal is another highlight of Hin Håle Blues with the whole musical atmosphere dripping in menacing Blues Rock that allows the SLOW-TO-MID played music develop naturally but still with a menacing presence.
The sound can be quite deafening at times which surprised me greatly as Laser Dracul aren’t afraid to play some violently LOUD rhythms, melodies and occult soundscapes that left me turning the volume down on my designated player at times. I mean that as a compliment and not showing my advancing years of reviewing music.
Hin Håle Blues is a delightfully sinister record with Laser Dracul firing on all cylinders throughout and perhaps releasing one of the best Occult Doom Metal albums I’ve heard this year.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the promo.
Hin Håle Blues is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Majestic Mountain Records.
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