Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 5/8/2014
Label: Self-Released
“Black
Hole Gods” Track Listing:
1). Deep
Within 02:13
2). Dreams of
Teeth 10:15
3). Born in a Barren Land
4). Warden of
the Swans 02:56
5). Leaves of
the Hanging Tree 07:30
6). I am the
Doorway 08:14
7). Cult of
the Coiled Spine 08:46
8). The
Outlier 07:29
Bio:
Cardinal Wyrm is a trio from Bay Area whose sound is rooted in
traditional, epic doom inspired by the immortal tones of Reverend Bizarre,
Solitude Aeturnus, and Bathory's grandiose odes as well as the desperate filth
of their neighbors in Noothgrush. Steered by drummer and vocalist Pranjal
Tiwari, bassist Rachel Roomian, and guitarist Nathan Verill,
the band has been active since 2010, churning through a triad of releases
and sharing the stage with acts such as Wolvserpent, Uzala and Sabbat.
Now, their upcoming album Black Hole Gods is due to be be released on August 5, 2014, and features background vocals by Leila Abdul-Rauf (Vastum, Hammers of Misfortune) in addition to eight tracks of dusty, devilish true doom.
Now, their upcoming album Black Hole Gods is due to be be released on August 5, 2014, and features background vocals by Leila Abdul-Rauf (Vastum, Hammers of Misfortune) in addition to eight tracks of dusty, devilish true doom.
The
Band:
Rachel Roomian
| Bass, Organ, Vocals
Pranjal Tiwari
| Drums, Lead Vocals
Nathan Verrill
| Guitar, Synth, Vocals
Guest Vocals
on "Dreams of Teeth" by Leila Abdul-Rauf
Review:
Sweet
crunchy guitar tones over stinging bees fuzz bass, prepare your epi-pen because
you're going to have a seizure of ecstasy worshiping “Black Hole Gods” on
Cardinal Wyrm's newest album. The strangely short “Deep Within” begins the
album with some nice mood setting for the creature birthed in the following
tracks. “Dreams of Teeth” has some sweet backup vocals and cool riffing taking
a really cool detour mid song with a sweet bridge section into some raging
female lo-fi black metal scream vocals reminiscent of the awesome chick from Dark Castle
The
third track “Born in a Barren
Land Swan
Lake
“Leaves
of this Hanging Tree” is my favourite track on the album setting a bleak
atmosphere at the beginning of the song reminding me of some of Celtic Frost's
slower stuff on the classic Monotheist. The very smooth tempo change into a
pretty raging middle section definitely has my favourite riffs on this album.
“I am the Doorway” begins with some almost post-rock guitar over pounding toms
underneath a sample then collapses into some pretty great riffs. This is the
strongest track on the album from top to finish, it has the best riffs, the
best songwriting, the coolest lyrics, and the best atmosphere.
The
penultimate track on the album “Cult of Coiled Spine” I have a suspicion is
absolutely crushingly heavy live. Album closer “The Outlier” has some really
cool dynamic changes from the verse to chorus and some nice ominous backing
organ to the verses. To the potential listener I would say that “Black Hole
Gods” improves as you travel deeper into the album. The last four songs in particular
are really exceptional and ‘must be heard’ pieces of music. For a band that
only appears to have two releases under their belt, Cardinal Wyrm has a fully
realized and excellent sound and I can honestly say I have never heard anyone
quite like them and it's a rare band that displays this level of sophistication
on only their second release.
Words By: Chris Tedor
You
can pick up a copy here
For more
information:
