Album Type:
Album
Date Released:
November 28th
2014
Label:
Totem Cat Records / Urtod Void Records
The Witching
Hour – Tracklisting
1.The Willow
2.Blood and Whiskey
3.Evil Man
4.The Toll
5.Faces in the Fog
04:14
6.From Hell
7.The Seeker
8.This Final Hour
9.Permanent Night
Bio
From the wasteland
known as the Ohio Valley comes Doctor Smoke, a four piece hard
rock/heavy metal band featuring members Matt Tluchowski
(Vocals,Guitars), Steve Lehocky (Lead Guitar), Cody Cooke (Bass), and
Dave Trikones (Drums). The quartet draws it's influence from the
classic, guitar driven sounds of early heavy metal while throwing
their own modernized spin on the genre.
Members
Matt Tluchowski -
Lead vocals/Guitar
Steve Lehocky - Lead
Guitar
Cody Cooke -
Bass/Vocals
Dave Trikones -
Drums#
Review:
Occult
Rock seems to be riding a crest of a wave over the past few years or
so with a ton of great bands that have came out of nowhere and
released some stunning albums of late. Personally, I thought the
Occult Rock scene would have taken a very big fall by now but if it
keeps producing bands such as Doctor Smoke then I hope it continues
as long as it can. Doctor Smoke released a well-received demo last
year, which has led to their eagerly anticipated debut album - The
Witching Hour. Doctor Smoke's sound is a groove laiden mix of Doom,
Stoner, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Occult Rock and a hint of Prog-Rock.
Though the Doomier and Occult Rock elements are the main attractions
here.
If
you are a fan of Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats then Doctor Smoke will
keep you entertained from start to finish with their dark tales of
the macabre and things that go bump in the night. Though there is so
much more to Doctor Smoke as they have a different style of sound
compared to other Occult/Doom Rock bands. The vocals may take getting
used to for some viewers but don't let that put you off, as The
Witching Hour is a bewitching and dark delicious treat for you to
devour. Opening track - The Willow - wastes no time unleashing heavy
guitar riffs with hints dark magic starting to weave their hypnotic
spell with creepy tales that will go down a treat this cold winter
season. Though it's the fast paced riffs where the band excel at as
it shows you how creative they can be with almost Stoner/Hard Rock
licks that are forged with a 70s Doom and Gloom intensity. The vocals
sound like a collaboration between Uncle Acid and a young Ozzy
Osborne in his prime. Matt’s vocals have an almost progressive rock
feel to unsettle the nerves with.
Second
track - Blood and Whiskey - carries on the creepy tone with gusto but
adds a more Blues Hard Rock vibe with Doctor Smoke paying homage to
Thin Lizzy at one point. That brought a huge smile to my face as I am
a huge Thin Lizzy fan but it's cool to hear their influences on an
album such as this. Doctor Smoke is still very much a band in control
of their own sound and destiny. Definitely one of the albums standout
tracks. The lyrics have a playful dark energy to them especially when
moonlights and a certain horned person are mentioned. OK. It maybe
slightly generic but trust me when I say this album leaves you in a
hypnotic trance waiting for the next song to come on and to entertain
or possibly provide a few chills along the way.
Third
track - Evil Man - is possibly the best track from the album. An
almost 7 minute epic once again drenched in dark riffs and creepy
playful lyrics that prove Doctor Smoke are a band with something
about them. Evil Man oozes class in every dept. This song is worth
for the purchase of the album alone. When Matt starts channelling an
evil spirit or the said Evil Man from the song, you can't help but
rocking out to this awesome tune. It has a dark tale to it, which
encompasses the best elements of Doom Metal and Occult Rock, which
you will find hard to beat.
The
first 3 songs will give you a good impression on what to expect for
the remainder of the album. A dark brooding odyssey that mixes
Classic 70s Hard Rock/Doom Metal with the more modern style of Occult
Rock and Stoner Metal to thrill you with. Doctor Smoke have created
something special here. It has something for everyone to check out.
It's packed full of great tunes that you will never get bored with.
The song-writing is first rate through out as the band have perfectly
captured the essence of a classic doom metal album and give it a more
modern makeover. I can see these guys supporting some of the genres
big names in the years to come. The Witching Hour is an outstanding
debut album on all levels. Don't pass this one by, as you will regret
it.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Doctor Smoke for the promo. The Witching Hour will be available to
buy on CD/DD from November 28th 2014.
For
more information:
