Eight Foot Manchild - Do Spirits Return? (EP Review)

Release Date: October 04th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Format: Digital Download

Do Spirits Return? - Track Listing:

1.Monsters Reign 04:32

2.Tanas Root 03:27

3.Circle Of Salt 02:37

4.Spirits Return 04:33

5.The Good Death 04:01

Members

Dylan Foley: Guitar, vocals

Sara Honeywell: Trombone, vocals

Mr Squirrel: Baritone sax

Alison Earnhart: Tuba

Steve Kosinski: Drums

Review

The self proclaimed “The world's first and therefore best DOOMBRASS band” Eight Foot Manchild return with their new EP - Do Spirits Return?  And as the title suggests it’s a Spooky/Halloween themed release with the band bringing a Funk Rock inspired style of Doom/Stoner Metal which has close ties to bands such as CLUTCH and PRIMUS in places.

The vocals are more aggressive and way out there compared to their previous releases. However, the band are quite adverse into playing some sublime Stoner Rock/Metal grooves which are downright catchy and quite imaginative with this EP having a soulful party rock atmosphere which comes straight into play on the opening tracks of Monsters Reign and Tamas Root. 

The subtle movements of Occult Doom and Brass Metal is captured in such a unique that the instrumental sounds can be quite kitsch and out-of-place at times but Eight Foot Manchild bring a sense of metal realism to their music especially when a heavier and sludgier appetite merges from the least unexpected of places. 

THe most impressive part of Do Spirits Return? Is most definitely the Brass section and I’m not really a big fan of these types of instruments being added into Heavy Metal but I’m fully down with Eight Foot Manchild’s over the top and flamboyant style of Doom/Stoner Metal. The EP does become more experimental and psychedelic on the later stages of the record with songs such as Spirits Return and The Good Death being the standout tracks.

Eight Foot Manchild have tapped into the Halloween Season in the best possible way which brilliantly lampoons and pays huge respect at the same time. Do Spirit’s Return? is another excellent release from the band and should entertain folks who like their music that little bit strange compared to other bands within the underground scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Eight Foot Manchild - Shrine Of The Orange Sunn (EP Review)

Release Date: July 14th 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Shrine Of The Orange Sunn: Tracklisting

Shrine Of The Orange Sunn

Take It To The Chorus, Titanosaurus

Seatopia Lost

The Gregor Samsa Blues

Members

Dylan Foley: Guitar, vocals

Sara Honeywell: Trombone

Mr Squirrel: Baritone sax

Alison Earnhart: Tuba

Steve Kosinski: Drums

Review:

Eight Foot Manchild are a Doom Metal band with a difference. They’re a DOOMBRASS band with an electrified horn section (tuba, bari sax and trombone) within their musical arsenal. Fusing Doom Metal and Stoner Metal with elements of Funk, Psych Rock and a little bit of hip-hop beats then you have the recipe for a highly original band.

Their new EP Shrine Of The Orange Sunn features four tracks that they’ve released already on their BandCamp Page but this is the first time I’m hearing about this great band. The sound is built upon Electric Wizard and Black Sabbath classic Doomed Out Guitars with a warped Stoner Metal attitude which becomes freaky, sleazy and funky with the Frank Zappa inspired vocal performances. 

I never knew Funk would go so well with Doom/Stoner Metal such as this but Eight Foot Manchild are having a ball on this release with the opening song Shrine Of The Orange Sunn applying a BOSSA NOVA beat to the the crazed Psychedelic grooves that have a darker style of Doomed Out Funk leading into more Occult based sounds. The “Doombrass” section of the band makes an almighty racket when the mood gets heavier and even more surreal.

Second song Take It To The Chorus, Titanosaurus opens with a “Twilight Zone” spooky opening before employing a creative approach that feels inspired by Led Zepp, Primus, Black Sabbath and Frank Zappa. The sound is still DOOM & GLOOM based but with a sense of warped chaos allowing the song to play a multitude of different STONER based styles. There’s a lot to take in with this song and may not be for everyone. However, there’s a sense of demented fun to be had with this track with the FUNKY OCCULT surroundings allowing Eight Foot Manchild to include some wicked sounding soundbytes along the way.

Third song Seatopia Lost opts for a more Psychedelic Jazz based approach with traces of Noise Rock and Sonic Distortion which gives way to subtle Post-Rock melodies with the Saxophone being the best part of the track. The band do play a more riff-centric style of Post-Doom or Post-Stoner grooves which remain highly experimental but with a refreshing style of 60’s based vocals merging with a slightly digitised and industrial flow. Perhaps the standout track of the EP as Eight Foot Manchild manages to create an atmosphere for the listener to fully lose themselves in.

The final song The Gregor Samsa Blues is another wicked track with a more straight up Doom/Stoner Rock offering from the band. The song is mostly powered through by Blues Rock especially with the vocals and lyrics. Eight Foot Manchild wisely allow the music to be a simpler style of Doom/Stoner Metal with that thumping DOOMBRASS Rhythm Section laying down some of the heaviest sounds on the EP with a show-stopping style of AMPLIFIER WORSHIP and Fuzzed Up Heaviness leaving me wanting to hear more.

Shrine Of The Orange Sunn is a soulful and exquisite journey into the more crazier side of Doom/Stoner Metal with Eight Foot Manchild playing some wonderfully entertaining riffs you haven’t heard or experienced before. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Eight Foot Manchild for the promo.

Shrine Of The Orange Sunn will be available to buy digitally from July 14th 2023.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp | Instragram