BEASTMAKER - Inside The Skull (Album Review)

Release date: May 19th 2017. Label: Rise Above Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Inside The Skull – Tracklisting

Evil One

Heaven To Hell

Now Howls The Beast

Of God’s Creation

Give Me A Sign

Nature Of The Damned

Psychic Visions

Inside The Skull

Night Bird

Sick Sick Demon

Members:

Trevor William Church - Guitar, Vocals...

Andres Alejandro Saldate (Juan Bonham) - Drums..

John Tucker – Bass

Review

Greetings all,

Over the past couple of weeks I have given multiple listens to the new album by the Fresno, CA based Sabbath worshipping Hellions Beastmaker. Honestly, to call them Sabbath worshipping may not even be a strong enough description. You may ask yourself, if another Sabbath-esque sounding band is a good thing. It isn't a good a thing...It is a fucking great thing!

Beastmaker hits the darkest, doomiest, occult rock swagger possible. Inside the skull is both an homage and an evolution on the sound we all know and love. The only way I can think to say is that they absolutely, fucking killed it! They have studied, made the beast, and unleashed it on the world. So all you have to do is sit back and let it consume you.

The record sounds perfect. It is not over produced, not under produced, the sound and tone is spot on. The track list is perfect. They have modernized the sound of Ozzy-era Sabbath. The songs are amazing. Every track is filled with masterful riffs, they are catchy as hell, and filled with the kind of dark, sinister lyrics we all know and love. And dammit if vocalist/guitarist Trevor Church doesn't sound just like Ozzy. It is freaking eerie at times. The band is tight, the rhythm section of Andy Saldate and John Tucker are ferocious.

The record just oozes the big bass, drum and guitar sound that fills me with equal parts awe, jealousy, and appreciation for what I am hearing. The band has that unmistakable Sabbath sounds, but there are also elements of some of their past and present Rise Above label mates. There is some definite Electric Wizard heaviness along with some of Uncle Acid's creepy, garage psych fuzz.

Inside the Skull opens with a stunning 1-2 punch. Big drums and riffs open both Evil One and Heaven to Hell. These two lead into the dark ethereal sound of Now Howls the Beast, which features some absolutely stunning female vocals on the chorus. Of Gods Creation slows things down a bit, while still bringing the big doom laden riff. Give Me a Sign is probably the most Sabbath sounding vocal and is my favorite track. 

Nature of the Damned has a dare I say Alice in Chains vibe about it. Psychic Visions is an epic piece of doom and is followed by Inside the Skull which just continues the riff laden assault. Night Bird is a bit of a bombastic riff with a definite psychedelic tinge. The album closes with catchy, heavy bass chug of Sick Sick Demon.

Listen, I'm not going to say that if you like Black Sabbath you should check out Beastmaker. If you are reading this, you fucking love Sabbath. I will say that if you are in the mood or have ever wondered what Sabbath may have sounded like if they kept going (outside of 13...) you will want to check this out. I swear there are some absolutely eerie similarities. You will pick up parts that sound just like they fell out of the first 6. 

Dig it! Check this one out.

Words by Todd Stealey Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Inside The Skull will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Rise AboveRecords from May 19^th 2017.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Beastmaker - Lusus Naturae (Album Review)

Release date: 26th March 2016. Label: Rise Above Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Lusus Naturae – Tracklisting

1. Clouds In The Sky

2. Eyes Are Watching

3. Arachne

4. Skin Crawler

5. Find The Stranger

6. You Must Sin

7. Burnt Offering

8. Mask Of Satan

9. It

10. Astral Corpse

11. Lusus Naturae

12. The Strain

Band Members:

Trevor William Church - vocals, guitars

John Tucker - bass guitar

Andy "Juan Bonham" Saldate - drums

Review:

Beastmaker from California are a brand new acquaintance to me and I was sold from the word go. So more of this please! I guess you can say this trio moves within the sphere of doom, but man the way Beastmaker unleashes their magic breathes new life into a somewhat overcrowded genre. Few new bands can match the old guard in terms of quality and honesty, and that’s one part in which the band excels. Not afraid to show who their influences are, they blend this with their own beautiful ideas. And the resulting concoction brewing in the cauldron, is invigorating and delicious.

Foreboding and punishing with a strong hint of early Black Sabbath, ‘Lusus Naturae’ brings out demons and nightmares from the darkest recesses of your mind. Mid-paced tempo, for the most part, with a full and earth-shattering bass guitar, loud and pounding drums that backs riffs that rips through steel. Adding occult themes for the lyrics and their magic brew is ready and potent as hell.

You should definitely enjoy the entire album, you hear, simply because it is badass! However, there are some tracks that stands out and represents the band the best. Church bells initiates opener ‘Clouds In The Sky’ and you can feel a storm brewing as evil forces approaches. Sludgy, crawling and sinister, it’s the perfect start to ‘Lusus Naturae’. Sticking to the lurking, crawling stance ‘Eyes Are Watching’ is even more foreboding and claustrophobic. The brutal riffs and Trevor’s distorted vocals enhances this greatly. The groove is on in ‘Skin Crawler’. A thumping, pounding bass guitar leads the way as Andy and Trevor weaves their magic around it. Slightly faster tempo, Beastmaker still breaks it down with an eerie, trippy mid-section that only adds to their excellence. Very Sabbath-y, ‘Burnt Offering’ is occult doom at it’s finest. No there are no baying Hammond Organs or seductive female vocals. Instead, the guys let their hair hang down as they belt out a fantastic evil creation. ‘Mask Of Satan’ is the best song of them all which is not a small feat, considering the great music throughout. Chugging riffs play on top of the bass guitar and drums, whose tightness and power can’t be underestimated. Ending in the most bone-chilling fashion, ‘The Strain’ goes slow but aims for the gut and it hits home immediately.

Like I mentioned earlier, Beastmaker are not afraid to show where they come from. The influence of a young and hungry Black Sabbath has the band enveloped, and then some. But the guys sidesteps any trappings of bringing in too much of their influences, simply by writing great songs and having a blast playing. All while making no apologies and rocking their socks off. I’m totally sold on Beastmaker and I urge you to check them out folks. Great stuff, indeed!

Words by Håkan Nyman

Lusus Naturae is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from Rise Above Records now.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp