‘This is an unstoppable offering, a collection of songs that makes you relieved you listen to the music that you do. A real contender for anyone's end of year list’
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 31/07/2015
Label: Napalm Records
‘The Unspeakable’ CD//DD//LP track listing:
1. All He Has Read
2. Pillars of the South
3. The Emma
4. Vermin
5. World Of Wonders
6. The Wind
7. Black Sunlight
8. The Sermon
9. The Key And The Gate (Alternative Version - Bonus Track)
10 Riders Of Vultures
2. Pillars of the South
3. The Emma
4. Vermin
5. World Of Wonders
6. The Wind
7. Black Sunlight
8. The Sermon
9. The Key And The Gate (Alternative Version - Bonus Track)
10 Riders Of Vultures
Review:
It all begins with the near 13 minute epic 'All He Has Read'. Tribal drumming and disembodied whispers are all that can be heard, as though some grim ceremony is about to take place with you at the centre of it (remember that soul claiming business...). It continues to build with a gothic tolling bell and some unnerving lead work before the hammer gets put down. The song opens up with some epic guitar work which veers from a soaring melody line right down to a doom drenched chug. This is where Thomas Sabbathi's breathtaking vocals enter. The guy can sing and I mean really sing. The vocal harmonies are just stunning and it seems hard to believe you're hearing this in 2015. It's a mesmerising start to proceedings that takes a few interesting turns.
Continuing with 'Pillars of The South', the band apply all of the tricks displayed earlier but instead condense the result down into a 5 minute rocker (as is the case for the remainder of the record). A catchy, classic riff is underpinned by a haunting organ, the accompaniment of those soaring vocals, is then met with exquisite lead guitar work. It's not all pace however, with 'The Emma', the band reduce the tempo, make astonishing use of the vocals and organ and connect it all together with a melancholic bluesy guitar and bass, that results in something pretty spectacular. 'The Wind' and 'Black Sunlight' both romp along with all the trademarks you'll know and love at this point. It's always epic, it's always haunting and it's always authentic.
The records closer 'Riders of Vultures', utilises a smirk inducing doom riff and a hypnotic harmony guitar part that just feels classic, as though you've heard it somewhere before but are so glad you're hearing it right now. All this before the lead guitar appears alongside some vintage backing vocals; once again, you'll be somewhere familiar. It's at this point we’re told were going to meet the master and the albums heaviest moment thunders forth. It's massive. It's spine tingling. Get ready.
If this record indicates anything at all, it is that ‘this is the Year of the Goat’. This is an unstoppable offering, a collection of songs that makes you relieved you listen to the music that you do. A real contender for anyone's end of year list and as the great Bart Simpson once said "all the best bands are affiliated with Satan". That's more true now than ever.
Continuing with 'Pillars of The South', the band apply all of the tricks displayed earlier but instead condense the result down into a 5 minute rocker (as is the case for the remainder of the record). A catchy, classic riff is underpinned by a haunting organ, the accompaniment of those soaring vocals, is then met with exquisite lead guitar work. It's not all pace however, with 'The Emma', the band reduce the tempo, make astonishing use of the vocals and organ and connect it all together with a melancholic bluesy guitar and bass, that results in something pretty spectacular. 'The Wind' and 'Black Sunlight' both romp along with all the trademarks you'll know and love at this point. It's always epic, it's always haunting and it's always authentic.
The records closer 'Riders of Vultures', utilises a smirk inducing doom riff and a hypnotic harmony guitar part that just feels classic, as though you've heard it somewhere before but are so glad you're hearing it right now. All this before the lead guitar appears alongside some vintage backing vocals; once again, you'll be somewhere familiar. It's at this point we’re told were going to meet the master and the albums heaviest moment thunders forth. It's massive. It's spine tingling. Get ready.
If this record indicates anything at all, it is that ‘this is the Year of the Goat’. This is an unstoppable offering, a collection of songs that makes you relieved you listen to the music that you do. A real contender for anyone's end of year list and as the great Bart Simpson once said "all the best bands are affiliated with Satan". That's more true now than ever.
Words by: Rhys Miles
‘The Unspeakable’ is available here
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