Album Type:
Full
Length
Date Released:
June 13th
2014
Label:
I
HATE
Oracles -
track listing:
1.Zealot 12:55
2.The Red Sea 13:22
3. Peasant Of
Parthia 08:12
4.Omen 14:08
Band Members
Kyle Alexander
McDonald : Vocals, Bass, Sitar, Synth
Christopher Lewis :
Drums, Lights
Review:
ZAUM
are a self-proclaimed Eastern Mantra Doom Metal Band that evokes
vivid memories of OM and Sleep all jamming together for one epic
forbidden concert in the vast region of the Middle East.
Welcome
to an undiscovered world called “Oracles” where s a single
musical note and vocal chord is powerful to live long in the memory
for an eternity. This is a harsh and desolate place where the music
is blended with Middle Eastern based vocals that feels like some long
forgotten and sacred text is being sang to the world for the very
first time. It is a haunting and mystifying experience that elevates
this album to a more personal and spiritual level.
The
album should be experienced as one epic 48-minute song as it’s an
exercise in gigantic riffs played on a multitude of different
instruments. Guitar, Drums and Sitar. The Sitar is the main driving
force here as ZAUM delve further into the sand dunes with ambient
layers of Drone Based Doom Metal slowly creeping around you until
there is nowhere to escape. The first two tracks – Zealot and The
Red Sea – offer nightmarish tones with long drawn out doom metal
atmospherics to keep you company for a highly impressive 26 mins or
so. It is a slow journey that will delight and frustrate you in equal
measure. ZAUM offer no easy answers on this album. It is a gruelling
experience as the band stick to the Middle Eastern influences through
out the album.
No
wonder the album is called Oracles as ZAUM take you on an epic quest
that brings back memories from listening to SLEEP’s legendary album
– Jerusalem or Dopesmoker for the very first time. You do not know
what you are listening to but you know this is something special
indeed. The instrumental work is one word – PHENOMENAL. The Sitar
has a life of its own and it can be classed as the albums heartbeat.
It brings the other instruments into the weird and wonderful world
that Oracles opens it doors to. Guitars and drums are played at a
slow pace, which only adds to the sonic atmosphere ZAUM have
brilliantly captured. If you are expecting fast-paced riffs then you
will have to look elsewhere as ZAUM are on a different journey
altogether but that does not ZAUM stay quiet in the corner. Far from
it. As the album becomes very loud when the time calls for it.
Oracles
is a demanding and challenging album that may put some people off but
if you have the time for a complex and unique sounding album then you
will richly be rewarded with one of the best audio experiences of
2014.
ZAUM
have created a truly stunning and emotionally charged album.
Thanks
to I HATE for sending us a promo. Oracles will be available
to buy 13th June 2014 on CD/DD and Vinyl Release
will follow in August 2014 from ZAUM's BandCamp Page.
Check
The Band From Links Below
Written
by Steve Howe
