music. But hey, sometimes people like to know what to expect and with a name like that you can't go wrong. This label focuses on releasing quality doom metal from Italy and this is their first release.A very promising release, I might add.
So yes, Fangs Of The Molossus is an Italian doom metal band but I guess you have figured that out already. This untitled album is actually a reissue of their 2013 demo and will be available as a 12" LP (400 black, 100 blood red). The band is influenced by most of the big names in the scene, like Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard and Sleep. The result is a rough, gritty version of doom that often sounds like a slow, faineant version of old hard rock.
Fangs Of The Molossus incorporates several hard rock elements, including lengthy guitar solos and psychedelic elements, reminding me of bands like Hawkwind. In a way you can say this is pretty typical doom metal but that doesn't have to be a disadvantage, on the contrary. The music these Italians bring, sounds familiar and definitely has its place between the classics and lesser classics on any genre related shelf.
The 'vintage' aspect on this album is mostly due to the clean, seventies soundings vocals and the very enjoyable psychedelic outbursts. In 'Cult Of The Witch Goddess', these psychedelics reach an early highlight with a bit of an uptempo, highly danceable piece of music, filled with vocal samples. With these elements, Fangs Of The Molossus can stand next to other seventies inspired bands like Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats or Kadavar.
To wrap this up, we're dealing with a very decent doom metal LP by a band that has all the needed influences and talent to be a promising midcarter in the genre. If they can keep this up and grow as a band, they should be able to become upper-card or even a main-eventer. The verdict here is clearly positive and I can only recommend giving the album a shot. For the record, there's a guest appearance by two members of the legendary Necromass on this album.
Serge