REVIEW: Pale Mare, "EP II"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: EP

Date Released: 03/04/2020

Label: Seeing Red Recods |

Ancient Temple Recordings

“EP II” CS//DD//CD//LP track listing:

1.House Of War

2.Zealot

3.Voidgazer

4.Remains

The Review:

Finally, a punishing power trio! These three purveyors of pummelling punk infused stoner metal hail from Toronto, Canada. The frozen north is, it seems, a fertile breeding ground of riffs and noise. This is a four track EP that is nearly as long as “Reign in Blood” by Slayer, so no complaining about value for money.

Opener “House of War” is reminiscent perhaps of “Surrounded By Thieves” era High on Fire, so the band set out their stall straight away: it's heavy, dirty and pitched somewhere between early Mastodon, early High on Fire, Conan and the punkier likes of Black Tusk. “Zealot” is perhaps a little more straightforward rhythmically but is just as punishing.

“Voidgazer” is heavier still and bludgeons the listener with repetition in a style closer to sludge or modern doom. The closing nine minute opus of “Remains” is the most complex track here and it shows the band in epic mode, making use of dynamics and also paying ferociously. All told, this is a solid EP and fans of any of the comparative bands mentioned

“EP II” is available HERE

Band info: Facebook || Bandcamp

FOR THOSE ABOOT TO ROCK: Riffs of Canada with Pale Mare (Toronto, Ontario)

By: Mark Tremblay

Album Type: EP

Date Released: 10/11/2017

Label: Medusa Crush Recordings

For those of you who long for the days of “Blessed Black Wings” era High on Fire, this record is the perfect trip down memory-lane.  If you dig thick and dirty riffs, you’ll dig Pale Mare.

“Pale Mare EP” CS//DD track listing:

1). Descolada

2). Carthage

3). Hoplite

The Review:

Toronto’s Pale Mare has finally released their long awaited self-titled EP. After making a name for themselves locally opening for acts such as Windhand and Weedeater, Pale Mare have unleashed their well-honed brand of sludge metal. For those of you who long for the days of “Blessed Black Wings” era High on Fire, this record is the perfect trip down memory-lane.

The EP comes out of the gate swinging with “Descolada”; a song built upon a heavy riff that would make Matt Pike smile. Where Pale Mare break from the pack, however, is this jazz break they’ve fused into the middle of the song. The clean shimmering guitar chords and wah-tinged bass give them a nuisance and balance not often found in riff-driven music.

 “Carthage” is a straight out banger that page homage to early Baroness EP’s “First” and “Second” while adding their own twists. Luke Roberts’ drum fills on this track are particularly jaw-dropping. Given the fact that he is also the guitarist and main creative force behind Ayahuasca, it begs the question “Is there anything Luke Roberts can’t do?”.

The albums closer “Hoplite” is continuation of all these elements mashed together in one riff-crammed magnum opus. Pale Mare is a throwback to the hey-day of the Savannah sludge metal of the early 2000s, only with a twist. If you dig thick and dirty riffs, you’ll dig Pale Mare.

“Pale Mare EP” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook