ALBUM REVIEW: Humulus, "The Deep"

By: Andrew Davie

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 28/02/2020

Label:  Kozmik Artifactz

The Review:

The first time I listened to Humulus was in Hong Kong in 2013. Youtube recommended their debut album to me based on my previous music selections. I decided to follow Youtube’s advice and descend further down the proverbial rabbit hole. Youtube had been hit or miss with regard to its suggestions, but there was something about the Humulus album cover of an Elephant holding a beer with its trunk. Thankfully, I pressed play and was introduced to some stellar metal.

Humulus’s latest album, “The Deep”, does not disappoint. The band delivers some outstanding stoner rock. The album begins with the track “Devil’s Peak (We Eventually Eluded Death)” which does a wonderful job setting the stage with each instrument and the vocals working well in conjunction, offering a track full of stoner hallmarks like distorted and fuzzed out guitar. “Hajra” allows for the guitar to demonstrate some subtlety and inverts the Pixies formula of loud/quiet/loud. The second half of the album switches things up a bit. “Into the Heart of the Volcano Sun” begins with a melodic organ which segues nicely into some exquisite guitar work. “Lunar Queen” continues with some stand out acoustic guitar, and the album concludes with the track “Sanctuary III - The Deep” which has more of a light melodic introduction before revving things up with a monstrous guitar riff.

Altogether, Humulus does not disappoint, and this album will help to cement their legacy.

“The Deep” is available HERE

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

ALBUM REVIEW: Frayle, "1692"

By: Andrew Davie

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 14/02/2020

Label: Aqualamb |

Lay Bare Recordings

“1692” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1) Introduction (Arise)
2) 1692
3) Gods of No Faith
4) Monsters
5) Darker Than Black
6) Dead Inside
7) Burn
8) Godless
9) If You Stay

10.) Stab

The Review:

Frayle, from Cleveland, Ohio delivers an incredible doom album in “1692.” A two piece band, formed in 2017, they have released some singles and extended plays, but their first full length album is stellar. Even though we’re still in the beginning of the year, I’m predicting this album has the longevity to remain important throughout the entirety of 2020.

Frayle combines thick sludgy doom metal riffs with melodic vocals, which on paper might not necessarily seem to mesh well. However, they manage to compliment each other perfectly and make for a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. While this combination of elements is not altogether unique, I have trouble coming up with other bands with whom to compare Frayle in terms of their style and sound.

This album has everything a doom metal enthusiast would want including excellent musicianship. If you are looking for insightful melodic lyrics, thick and unforgiving riffs, complex yet simple arrangements, this album has all of the above and more. They have managed to incorporate everything one might want in a doom metal record. They have found the proverbial sweet spot between the harshness of the instruments and the soothing melody of the vocals.

While the entire album is good, highlights for me included the tracks “Gods of No Faith”, “If You Stay”, and “Stab”. Fans of doom riffs and operatic vocals will be rewarded.  I’m looking forward to hearing more from Frayle in the future.

“1692” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Acid Mammoth, "Under Acid Hoof"

By: Andrew Davie

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 24/01/2020

Label: Heavy Psych Sounds

“Under Acid Hoof” CD//DD//LP track listing

1). Them!

2). Tree Of Woe

3). Tusks Of Doom

4). Jack The Riffer

5). Under Acid Hoof

The Review:

Acid Mammoth, from Greece, delivers with their sophomore release “Under Acid Hoof”. As the title implies, listeners will be bombarded with all of the standard hallmarks of excellent doom, stoner, and sludge metal in the form of thick distorted riffs.

While Acid Mammoth has managed to capitalize on the staples of the genre, at no point is it derivative. They establish themselves as a band that will help to define the genre in the future. The album only has five tracks, but the shortest song clocks in at almost four and a half minutes. The opening track “Them!” sets the scene for what will follow: a slow tempo assault with a melodic delivery of vocals and instruments creating a landscape incorporating all the elements fans have come to expect.

Acid Mammoth has constructed a stellar album with song titles such as “Tree of Woe”, “Tusks of Doom”, and “Jack The Riffer”, which set the scene for what to expect. Acid Mammoth demonstrates both playfulness with a pun on Jack The Ripper, as well as more straightforward doom titles in “Tree of Woe” which refers to a scene from the film Conan the Barbarian. Listening to the band, one gets the sonic experience of a wooly mammoth trapped in a tar pit, as it slowly sinks into extinction.

Acid Mammoth sets the bar high with this album. I’m looking forward to more from them in the future.

“Under Acid  Hoof” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Haunt, "Mind Freeze"

By: Andrew Davie

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 06/01/2020
Label: Shadow Kingdom Records

“Mind Freeze” CS//CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. ‘Light The Beacon’

2. ‘Hearts On Fire’

3. ‘Mind Freeze’

4. ‘Divide And Conquer’

5. ‘Saviors Of Man’

6. ‘Fight Or Flight’

7. ‘Have No Fear’

8. ‘On The Stage’

9. ‘Voyager’

The Review:

Haunt began in 2017 as a solo project of musician Trevor Church. Initially, Church played guitar, drums, bass, recorded, and distributed Haunt’s debut EP “Luminous Eyes”. However, it’s grown into a full-fledged band with a lineup that includes Church on guitar and vocals, John Tucker on guitar, Taylor Hollman on bass, and Daniel “Wolfy” Wilson on drums. Haunt’s latest album, “Mind Freeze”, is distributed by Shadow Kingdom Records. 

Church, a multi-instrumentalist, is no stranger to metal. He played bass for the band Inside the Sun, drums for Worship of Keres, and sang for Wolf Ghost. Aside from fronting Haunt, he currently plays bass for Hysteria and doubles as the guitarist and vocalist for Beastmaker. Similarly, he records and distributes music under his own banner Church Recordings. Prolific in his output, Church put out 4 EP’s with Beastmaker, and 1 LP with Haunt in 2018. Haunt has also put out 2 EP’s and 3 LP’s since its inception.

While many of Church’s other bands have more of a doom vibe, Haunt has more NWOBHM influences, and would fit in nicely on a bill that included early Iron Maiden, and 80s era Judas Priest. 

The musicianship is stellar which results in tremendous guitar harmonies between Church and Tucker. Tracks like “Light the Beacon” and “Have No Fear” are melodic throwbacks which include aspects of prog rock such as great use of synth accompaniments. Other tracks like “Mind Freeze” and “Divide and Conquer” hit you at breakneck speed. The arrangements are complex and result in multiple time signature changes which gives the band plenty of chances to demonstrate their musical chops. Haunt has picked up the torch for thrash and run with it. The album uses all the building blocks to construct an excellent installment in the genre. If you are a fan of early thrash, this album is for you. 

“Mind Freeze” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook