By: Jake Wallace
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 30/04/2016
Label: Hellas Records |
Deadlight
Entertainment
This is a dominating record and something which the band can be sure
will appeal to all kinds of fans of stoner doom and sludge. Witchthroat Serpent
have left a deep scar in the genre and it will take a long time to heal with a
record so devastatingly heavy.
“Sang-Dragon” CD//DD track listing:
1).
Hydra’s Bewitchment
2).
A Caw Cries From my Gut
3).
Siberian Mist
4).
Lady Sally
5).
Into the Black Rock
6).
Behind Green Eyes
7).
Mystical Devotee
The Review:
As
the French stoner rock/doom scene steadily grows, Toulouse's Witchthroat Serpent have released their new album 'Sang-Dragon' and it is nothing short
of colossal. Interestingly, 'Sang-Dragon'
translates as 'Dragon's Blood' and
there is plenty of dragon fire wrapped up in these deliciously devastating riff
attacks. Many have made the comparison to Electric Wizard and
although it is plain to hear, I think these guys are almost worthy of Electric Wizard sounding like THEM. With 7 tracks clocking
in at around 40 mins, it is a thoroughly solid display of gargantuan
riff-play.
The
opening track 'Hydra's Bewitchment'
is a mellow introduction to the death & destruction that lies ahead. It
consists of just over 2 mins of very ominous wah pedal work that
grips you in from the get-go and you just know it will be followed by something
very powerful... which it is. Track 2, 'A Caw Rises From My Guts',
is absolutely soaked in fuzz and the down-tuned guitar work is immensely
satisfying. The vocals are probably the reason many people liken the band
to Electric Wizard, they are very similar
styles but these guys bring much more finesse to their songs. The main riff is extremely
catchy and is guaranteed to get stuck within the depths of doom tunes in
your brain for at least the rest of the week. Around the 3:40 mark
the tempo slows down even more and the weight of the riffs increase. The last
minute of the song includes some subtle lead work which sears through the thick
walls of low-end rumble, and bends your mind as the track winds to a close.
'Siberian Mist'
is the third track on the album and begins with a filth-laden bass line which
provides a canvas for the bluesy guitar licks that follow. This style of fusing
both sounds reminds me a lot of London's Orange Goblin
and you can see there is a lot of influence from England's premier league of
doom heavyweights. There are also parts of this song that remind me of
Gothenburg’s sonic titans Monolord. As the years go by and the number of bands
playing this style of music multiply, it should become a lot harder to reinvent
the wheel but Witchthroat Serpent
know exactly how to craft such a thing.
'Lady Sally'
begins with a riff that would break the Richter scale. This is probably one of
my favourite songs on the album and it's not hard to see why. The huge
riffs rumble on like a huge prehistoric beast marching across baron wastelands
and the chorus vocals are superbly powerful and catchy. This is most certainly
a song that would be mind-blowing to witness live and I will definitely be
looking out for these guys touring near me in the near future just to hear this
track up close.
The
fifth track on the album 'Into the Black
Wood' starts with some more of the wah-doom sound they have going on
before exploding into a molten onslaught of heaviness. It is a relentless
beast that can't be tamed and then just over halfway through, the tempo blasts
up and the sludge takes off into the sky. The sheer number of riffs these guys
can produce and deliver is astounding and after a couple listens they become
ingrained into your mind. The ending is very powerful as well as they slowly
bring the speed down until the headbanging becomes a slow, rhythmic
nod as the track closes.
The
penultimate track ‘Behind Green Eyes’
is the longest song on the record clocking in at 8:46. It is a behemoth of
more solid doom riffs. There are some great vocal harmonies on this track which
really add an extra level of depth to the lyrics and create a strangely eerie
vibe. The riffs chug along slowly and powerfully and there are some elements of
Saint Vitus present throughout. The track breaks down
around the 5 min mark and the deep bass line keeps the slow train rolling down
the track. The added lead parts are patient and delivered well as a perfect
complement to the bass line and the subtle keys in the backdrop.
The
final track ‘Mystical Devotee’ wraps
up the album with a powerful, pummeling display of rhythm and riffs. There is
no slowing down from the onslaught of power that has been present throughout
the entire album. There is a great change just after the 4 min mark and Witchthroat Serpent give birth to yet another dark
passage of doom. The whole record is completely steeped in darkness and the
mental imagery that goes with the music is completely on the money.
The
cauldron of sludge is overflowing and every ingredient of the potion has
been carefully considered. This is a dominating record and something which the
band can be sure will appeal to all kinds of fans of stoner doom and
sludge. Witchthroat Serpent have left a deep
scar in the genre and it will take a long time to heal with a
record so devastatingly heavy.
“Sang Dragon” is available here
FFO: Electric Wizard, Windhand, Sleep, With The Dead
