Saturday 22 February 2014

KHEMMIS - S/T EP Review

Khemmis cover art

Album Type:EP
Date Released: Nov 14th 2013
Label: Self Released

Khemmis track listing:

1.Sunrise/Sunset 06:56
2.Take the Knife 06:22
3.The Bereaved 09:45

Bio:

Khemmis is a four piece outfit from Denver, Colorado that is best summed up in three words -- slow, loud, heavy. In the face of the myriad "retro" and "throwback" styles favored by many, Khemmis opts to take the soul of classic bands like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple and filter them through the contemporary lens of sludge, doom, and volume worship in the vein of Red Fang, Sleep, and YOB. The end result is a sonic journey that is as dependent on powerful melodies as it is on pure sonic obliteration.

Featuring current and former members of Vasaeleth, Galaxicon, and Lords of Fuzz, Khemmis has already shared the stage with numerous respected acts, including Church of Misery, Samothrace, Evoken, Mortals, Velnias, Speedwolf, and more. With the release of their new self-titled EP, the band looks to hit the road heavily throughout 2014.

The Band Members

Phil - vocals/guitar
Ben - vocals/guitar
Dan - bass
Zach - drums

Review:

I have to thank Ben from the band for contacting me to check out his new band – Khemmis. Ben also plays in brilliant Sludge/Stoner Metallers – Galaxicon– who we are big fans of here at Sludgelord HQ.

Though Ben described Khemmis as more balls-out straight forward rock music. Well Ben, if this is your idea of balls-out straight forward rock music then I want to hear more. As Khemmis S/T debut EP is an intense blast of Sludge/Doom Metal riffs packed full of heavy violent and loud fuzz based atmospherics.

It's a 23 minute action packed ride that you will be head-banging to over and over again. First track – Sunrise/Sunset has a slight Church of Misery vibe lurking in the background. The fuzz is played brilliantly loud as well. It's good that Khemmis are doing something different compared to other bands. Combining Fuzz with Doom and Sludge Metal is a hard thing to pull off but Khemmis pull this off brilliantly.

None so more on excellent second track – Take The Knife – which combines heavy fuzz vibes with dangerous Sludge/Doom Metal riffs though with a slight Hard Rock vibe. Check out the excellent guitar solos around the 2 minute mark. Very impressive indeed that only made me love these guys music even more.

Though Khemmis leave the best track till last with the majestic 10 minute epic – The Bereaved. It starts off rather slowly and quietly before Khemmis add more intense layers of riffs as time passes by. I had this track on repeat for about an hour or so as it's such a stunning track you can easily lose yourself in. Brilliant work guys.

Do you need any-more convincing to check this great band out. It's available for Buy Now Download on BandCamp now and I recommend you download this now. You won't be sorry.

Bring on the full length record Khemmis!!!

Excellent and Highly Recommended.


Written by Steve Howe