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| Serpentine Path circa 2014 |
“Emanations” was
the sophomore album from NYC doom super group SERPENTINE PATH. The band’s 2012
self-titled debut was a boldly grim statement of unforgiving misanthropy that
referenced both the filthy riffs of Autopsy and the stoney doom of Sleep. Now officially augmented by
second guitarist Stephen Flam, the mastermind behind NYC doom/death legends Winter, SERPENTINE PATH were
truly a heavy metal all-star team (the band also features current and former
members of doom legends Electric
Wizard, Unearthly
Trance and Ramesses).
Sure, the pedigree is undeniable, but regardless of their ‘members of’ status, SERPENTINE PATH were
one of the heaviest bands on the planet.
Although there is no word on the current status of the band, Unearthly Trance
reformed and Tim Bagshaw formed With The Dead with former Cathedral front man Lee Dorian. SERPENTINE PATH released a previously unreleased song called “Venom”
on August 26, 2015 which is available via their bandcamp page, but today
our focus is on their sophomore release “Emanations” as we rewind the
riffs 3 years ago to the day and look back at this masterpiece of doom which
was reviewed by Richard Maw on 19/5/2014.
By: Richard Maw
Album Type: Full Length
Date Release: 23/5/2014
Label: Relapse Records
It is with a great pleasure that I can say
Serpentine Path have returned and consolidated the reputation built on the
first album. This is an example of the genre done right- the essence of metal
is here with all the horror and darkness you could wish for. Gripping and
repulsive all at the same time.
“Emanations” CD//DD//LP tracklisting :
1). Essence of Heresy (03:48)
2). House of Worship (04:17)
3). Treacherous Waters (07:46)
4). Claws (07:31)
5). Disfigured Colossus (05:59)
6). Systematic Extinction (07:15)
7). Torment (08:25)
The Review:
Serpentine Path return with their second LP of hate filled doom/death.
The band's pedigree (Electric Wizard, Ramesses et al) is well known, so let's cut to the music.
First off, this is destined to be one of the genre's
greatest releases this year. It is an excellent record. From “Essence of Heresy” onwards, the
record oozes menace and horror. The tempos are slow and the riffs suitably
snaking, creeping forward with insistence.
“House of Worship” is slightly quicker with riffs/lead work that recalls the early 90's
DM scene. Think Obituary, not Cannibal Corpse,
though. “Treacherous Waters” ups
the song length and downs the tempo to a crawl. The vocals are brutal, the
drums slow, the riffs stellar. There is something very nasty about the vibe of
the album- in that regard it carries on the work of the superb self-titled
debut. Grim stuff, and compelling to listen to with it- the track has double
bass drums, good riffs and progressions and that intangible extra quality of
unpleasantness.
“Claws” has a
lovely downtrodden and sinister guitar refrain in the intro as the song builds
up the sense of dread and paranoia. Again, the deathly vibes are there along
with the doom- not as overtly as Hooded Menace, say, but
present all the same. This is doom, no doubt, but with a strong injection of
the slower elements of death metal as well- and it makes the band unique.
“Disfigured Colossus” brings the band to the latter half of the album and it sounds as the
title reads- massive, hulking and ugly. The track fits perfectly as a set up
for “Systematic Extinction”.
Seven minutes of pitch black darkness. The grooves created are head nodding, to
say the least, and the overall effect is of a car crash happening in front of
you in slow motion.
“Torment” finishes
this doom colossus with well over eight minutes of iron-fisted spite. The song
is a good example of what Serpentine Path are all
about- unstoppable riffs and rhythms that just keep moving forward, crushing
all in their path.
It is with a great pleasure that I can say Serpentine Path have returned and consolidated the
reputation built on the first album. This is an example of the genre done
right- the essence of metal is here with all the horror and darkness you could
wish for. Gripping and repulsive all at the same time.
