Album Type : Full Length
Date Released : 11/2013
Label : STB Records
Brimstone
Coven, album track listing :
1). Intro 0:49
2). We Are Forever 3:22
3). The Ancients 3:13
4). Son of the Morning 5:35
5). Lost in the Odyssey 3:54
6). Children of the Sun 5:11
7). Outro 10:41
Bio
:
Brimstone
Coven is a retro-hard rock / doom band from Wheeling WV. They created
their
personal blend of "Dark Occult
Rock" in the early months of 2011.
Corey Roth (Guitar) wrote the first five
songs, which would later become the bands self
titled album, and hand picked three seasoned
musicians from the area's scene... Andrew
D'Cagna (Bass), Justin Wood (Drums), and
"Big John" Williams (Vocals) to carry out his plan
for sonic domination.
Echoing the eerie reverberations of hard
rock heavyweights such as Black Sabbath and
Pentagram, mixed with the Classic Rock style
of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, Brimstone
Coven has created a Vintage sound and style
all their own.
Recently, with many shows, the debut album
soon to be released on vinyl through STB
Records, new drummer Dan Hercules, and a
second album in the works (II) the band strives
to reach a wider audience and secure a spot
among rocks greatest.
Look for Brimstone Coven to make a name for
themselves in the near future!
The
Band :
"Big John" Williams - vocals
Corey Roth - guitar
Andrew D'Cagna - bass
Dan Hercules – drums
Corey Roth - guitar
Andrew D'Cagna - bass
Dan Hercules – drums
Review
:
Authenticity,
an ability to be authentic or genuine and perhaps for fans who get their rocks
off to the sound of guitar driven retro rock music, credibility is paramount in
terms of convincing people to part with their hard earned buck. Why, may you ask is this beatnik reviewer harping
on about this? Well it stems from the dearth
of retro inspired bands over the past few years infiltrating our airwaves and
in turn into our record collections.
Many emulate
the heroes of yore and yet, others who will remain nameless try too damn hard
and thus in turn, merely come across as copyist and therefore undermine the
integrity of their music. So, when faced
with the prospect of reviewing, relative newcomers, Brimstone Coven, it was
with a great deal of anxiety and trepidation.
It is not that I dislike retro bands, shit I loved The Datsuns from NZ
back in the day, great 70 inspired riffs, but that band sank and to that end,
new retro bands need to create a style of their own.
Thankfully
with their debut outing, Brimstone Coven have done just that. I’m hearing more influence from Zeppelin than
say Pink Floyd, in terms of discernible comparisons, but this S/T is not simply a pastiche, consisting of motifs or techniques from borrowed sources. What we have is 5 original and skilfully constructed
songs. So, let’s try to break it down
for ya.
Records that
are truly memorable are fashioned upon motifs which are addictive and yet repetitious
, following the opening salvo of the delightful fragrant intro, with soft harmonised
guitars, I hear at least three in the mix; this is a soulful introduction to
the band. Indeed it lends itself
brilliantly into the opening riff of We
are forever. Coming across as Zeppilin meets 70’s Black Sabbath (The Best
Kind), Brimstone certainly have that vintage sound in spades, guitars are
crisp, bass feels warm and drums played adeptly, with a looseness that only Messers
Moon, Ward and Mitchell (If you don’t already know these dudes, exit left?) are known
for. Great stuff and what a voice, ‘Big John’ is quite the front man with an endearing
and rich tone to his voice and yes he sounds Killer.
The Ancients opens like a cowboy nodding
his Stetson to Zeppelin once more, with affectionate riffing lending itself to
comparisons to their finest work, think the ‘Immigrant Song.’ Corey Roth, the outlaw, chief protagonist and
axe slinger of this posse, is armed with a killer ability of flooring the
listener with head nodding riffs and bucket loads of groove. This tune is just flawless.
Son in the Morning, is all about the rhythm
section, brilliant bass riff and subtle drums, which for the most part is
repetitive throughout, aided by the guitars admirably. A Slower
track by far, but it engages you from the outset. Big John again produces the
goods, demonstrating a fine range to his voice, aided by brilliant backing
vocals too. Guitar phrasing is sublime,
with subtle lead guitars.
What is
brilliant about this record is that everything is audible as it should be,
feeling warm, but no instrument is overpowering. Subtlety and delicacy is key.
Lost in the
Odyssey , as Bill and Ted would say, is ‘Most Excellent’. As is the album as a
whole. To me this song is their ode to
Black Sabbath, having that feel of The Wizard with hints of Evil Woman in there
too. Check it and you’ll get the gist.
Whilst this isn’t
the most comprehensive review, there is enough on this record to convince even
the most hardened sceptics that Brimstone Coven have a brilliant future ahead
of themselves. It may not inspire the existence of a utopian society in the future,
however based on this set of songs, STB Records have decided to release a rich
and a comprehensive vinyl release. True
vindication then, that with these compositions, Brimstone Coven are not only deserving
of your attention but that a diehard vinyl spectacular is the very least we can
expect from these Retro rock in future. Party
On!
Words by : Aaron Pickford
You can buy
the DD here
now and vinyl will be available over the coming weeks.
More news as we have it.
Pressing Info:
Sorcerer
Edition
"Cyan"
blue high grade matching vinyl limited to 125
Heavy weight
"Night-shift" blue 100lb card stock
Metallic
blue and black inks
Custom art
work by W. Ralph Walters
Die Hard
Edition
Gold and
Silver color in color high quality vinyl limited to 50
Heavy duty
236lb natural white 100% cotton card stock cover
Letter
pressed band logo
Incense
Scented brown and black oiled inks
Distressed
and burned cover to mimic an old spell book..
Custom
artwork by W. Ralph Walters
For
more information :
