Album Type:Album
Date Released:
March 22nd 2014
Label:
Self
Released
Exaanum track
listing:
1.Ultra Cult
2.Crushed By Dread
3.Cephalaphor
4.Covenant Of The
Gargoyle 06:47
5.Space Cathedral
6.The Citadel Of
Peace
7.Exaanum
Bio:
And
there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth, for the earth had spat
forth a most vile group of scum; borne loose with steely eyes and
ravenous bellies. Their foul purpose is that most unnameable of
horrors, the dark art in which even the most sinister backstreet
necromancer in Cairo would not dare utter...doom metal. We are a doom
band, who also like Lovecraft, weed, and films so raw they'll
skullfuck your brain and leave you with a twitch. Enjoy, you cunts.
Description
Since
2008 Jackal-Headed Guard of the Dead have been making intrumental
doom. So far two ep's have appeared, Grimoire in 2009 and The Sky Has
been Riven And Our Flesh Has Been Rent in 2010. An album shalt appear
in 2013
Their
sparkle may well catch on...
The
Band Members
Tommy
- Guitar and arcane high-frequency harmonies
Chris
- Bass and subterranean tonal discharge
Stu
- Drums and eldritch rune translations
Review:
Jackal-Headed Guard Of The Head return with their stunning new album –
Exaanum – an instrumental Doom/Stoner Metal album that feels it has
came from the darkest depths of the Earth’s core. This is a dark
and brooding beast that is full of huge slabs of instrumental doom
metal to give you nightmares to.
If
you are looking for a Karma To Burn style journey then you are going
to be disappointed as these guys worship at the same holy place as
Sabbath, Sleep and Electric Wizard. As they play heavy doom metal
riffs that can last for days. OK maybe not days but this band are one
heavy and powerful unit you cannot ignore.
First
track – Ultra Cult – is the perfect introduction to the band’s
dark world where the music is played at a loud and heavy slow pace
with huge amounts of volume coming at you from all directions. You
can hear the vibrations coming off the band members’ instruments as
they literally pound the hell out of their musical weapon of choice.
Just feel the intensity of those mammoth riffs. It is dripping with a
sense of fear that will leave you a shivering wreck.
Second
track – Crushed By Dread – carries on the nightmarish visions
laid down on the previous track though they start adding psych vibes
ad noises, which only adds to the overall chilling effect of the
song. The bass and drumming is terrific on this song through out as
it is a heavy pounding nightmare slowly coming towards you. Once the
guitars kick in the song goes into overdrive and you are indeed
Crushed By Dread as you are taken on another wild ride from these
dark masters of the riff.
The
album’s first two tracks show you what is in store for you for the
remainder album. Heavy and powerful Doom/Stoner Metal riffs from one
of Scotland’s finest instrumental rock/metal bands. The album is
dripping with epic doom based riffs that will have you on the edge of
your seat. Check out the stunning guitar solos on 3rd track -
Cephalaphor – that will have you head banging out in no time at
all.
The
band adds ambient noises to their music through out the album and it
gives the album a sinister feel at times. Jackal-Headed Guard Of The
Head wants you to be uncomfortable through out. Mainly so they can
send chills down your spine just like a good old-fashioned horror
movie. The album is extremely loud at times. Even when I was
listening to this on a low volume it still is one powerful
experience, which only adds to the experience of the album. Top marks
for that one guys. Production is brilliant through out.
There
is a 2-minute song called Space Cathedral. A song that I thought
would be an ambient-based little track so you can catch your breath.
Well I was wrong. It is a fast-paced blast of hard-hitting riffs that
actually could give Karma To Burn a run for their money. Definitely
one of the album’s standout tracks.
Though
the album’s main attraction is the 14-minute title track –
Exaanum. A brooding epic packed full of spacey atmospheric riffs that
slowly builds up the tension before unleashing a pummelling blend of
sonic warfare onto the listener.
My advice folks – Sit back and
enjoy the ride. As all the musical elements collide for one final
battle which you have front row seats to. The band feels like they
have been raised on an unhealthy diet of Black Sabbath, Sleep and
Electric Wizard as this track feels like an homage to those legendary
bands. A truly brilliant track to close the album with as it proves
that Exaanum is the band’s best release to date.
I
hope this album will get the chance to be released on Vinyl as if an
album ever needed to be released on Vinyl then Exaanum is it. Yeah –
I loved this album. So will you when you actually hear it.
Brilliant.
End Of.
Thanks
to the band for sending me a copy to review. Exaanum is out to buy
from March 22nd 2014.
Check
The Band From Links Below
