doom / sludge metal
Ok, let's start by being brutally honest. Like with most music reviewers, a lot of albums I have written about eventually end up in my massive day-to-day playlist. However, since that playlist grows continuously, I no longer can remember every band, every song and every album. Quite often a song comes up, I like it but I have no idea who wrote it. It's a shame, I know, but there is nothing I can do about it. My brain can only remember so much. Yet, there are exceptions and Deadsmoke is one of them. Their previous album often blasts through my speakers and I always absolutely know for sure that I'm listening to Deadsmoke. They're etched in my brain.
Why? Well, because they are so fucking good. It's like a mix between all the best elements of Conan, Monolord, Dopethrone and Sleep. On this new album, the Italians seem to repeat that recipe but somehow they have managed to take it to the next level. These songs are even more hypnotic, more psychedelic and groovy than ever before. They thrive on almost touchable fuzzed out riffs and thundering rhythms. If I didn't know any better, I'd believe that it was Deadsmoke who caused hurricane Irma.
I'm not going to pick a favorite, because quite frankly, this whole album might turn out to be one of my favorites - ever. However, I have to say that 'Emperor Of Shame' is as brilliant as it is simple. It's just one of those doom metal tracks that define a genre. Opener 'Endless Cave' grabbed my throat immediately and the whole thing kept me headbanging until the last notes of title track 'Mountain Legacy' faded away. 'Wolfcurse' is another instant classic, immersive and effective.
So yes, this album comes highly recommended to all fans of doom and sludge metal. For me, Deadsmoke can stand next to my other favorite doom metal bands, including Winter and Bathsheba. I urge every doom fan to check it out and to join me in hoping that these guys will tour Europe soon. They'll demolish the competition, I'm sure of it.
Serge
Why? Well, because they are so fucking good. It's like a mix between all the best elements of Conan, Monolord, Dopethrone and Sleep. On this new album, the Italians seem to repeat that recipe but somehow they have managed to take it to the next level. These songs are even more hypnotic, more psychedelic and groovy than ever before. They thrive on almost touchable fuzzed out riffs and thundering rhythms. If I didn't know any better, I'd believe that it was Deadsmoke who caused hurricane Irma.
I'm not going to pick a favorite, because quite frankly, this whole album might turn out to be one of my favorites - ever. However, I have to say that 'Emperor Of Shame' is as brilliant as it is simple. It's just one of those doom metal tracks that define a genre. Opener 'Endless Cave' grabbed my throat immediately and the whole thing kept me headbanging until the last notes of title track 'Mountain Legacy' faded away. 'Wolfcurse' is another instant classic, immersive and effective.
So yes, this album comes highly recommended to all fans of doom and sludge metal. For me, Deadsmoke can stand next to my other favorite doom metal bands, including Winter and Bathsheba. I urge every doom fan to check it out and to join me in hoping that these guys will tour Europe soon. They'll demolish the competition, I'm sure of it.
Serge
