Date Released: 18/03/2016
Label: Heavy Psych Sounds
Holy Grove’s first doomy foray is an undeniably solid
and considered effort. The enigmatic lyrics of leading enchantress combined
with the persistence of the power trio prove equally deadly as they are
absorbing. It wouldn’t be imprudent to expect the band's songwriting skill to
take them to great places, becasue this debut undoubtedly holds its own, but
they are more than capable of translating their stirring vision even further
still.
’Holy Grove’ CD//DD//LP track listing:
1). Death Of Magic
2). Nix
3). Holy Grove
4). Huntress
5). Caravan
6). Hanged Man
7). Safe Return
The Review:
’Death Of Magic’ gets the record rolling on an upbeat
rhythm which from the outset seems conflicted with the vocals that pull you
into a somber setting. The first track wastes no time flourishing into a
merciless rocker which is reliant on voice and riff conversing back-and-forth. The
track is devoid of solos either, with
perfectly-timed blues-tinged guitar licks helping to take this one onto
another level of desperation by the
close. As this track ends, we seamlessly flows into ’Nix’, which comes on as an addictive tour-de-force. Bringing along
muffled drumming in the distance, it then opens up and introduces a groove of
colossal magnitude, that is soon embellished by Andrea Vidal’s singing. Her
words calling to mind solitary and dim leave-carpeted woods, the song’s
strength lies in this weaved dynamic. When the main riff returns at the apex, the grip indeed takes you under,
ricocheting to quench a thirst you were previously unaware of. With
Cisneros-worthy bass-plucking bleeding through and the lyrics void of any reprieve,
this heavy resonance is the only sure embrace on a trip straight through these feedback-drenched
arteries.
The tunes
in question were both released as first singles and it’s difficult to fault,
they’re coupled back-to-back here and they surely establish the tone for the
remainder of the record. At this juncture it feels to be a fitting time to note
Billy Anderson, whose input at the helm can be felt throughout. The devil’s in
the details as the doom is infused by odd background noises that are hardly-noticeable-but-certainly-there.
Aptly, at their most concordant the band’s groove is oft reminiscent of none
other than Sleep,
wherein Anderson’s golden touch can undoubtedly be no less accredited to.
Steered by the aural master were also the harmonies of songstress Andrea Vidal,
with her powerful bellow taking centerstage almost constantly.
It’s
obviously difficult not to steal the show when you have pipes that could give
anyone a run for their money. This is especially true on the third and self-titled
track which features perhaps the most languid intro of the album. Although the vocals
initially take the back-burner, with guitar solos carrying the tune further
out, the interplay of instruments and voice is a continued theme. First leading
in with a desolate intro, that blazing seduction gains momentum through the
whole duration of the track as the reverberating admonishings dig deeper into
the raspier shades of her reach.
When
’Huntress’ clears the air and brings
the band in its full force, the sinister tone comes most timely to
compliment the entrancing altitude of what has come prior.
Weighty riffs cut with the sharpness of a pirate’s cutlass as the track becomes
increasingly menacing and downright punishing toward the end. Follow-up ’Caravan’ struts on a similarly aggressive
lean but brings an intensity of its own. Whereas the similar formula between
these two songs might have left one asking for a change-up, the sheer meanness
and twists of the latter are novel and clever enough to hold the attention
throughout. As per the LP format,
similiarly clever is the flipping of sides which functions as the necessary breathing-room
inbetween.
Despite
the recurring and ritualistic opening choral of ’Hanged Man’, this gloomy ballad ultimately deceives you back into
the murky depths of the bog. Vidal’s celestite cries delivering the chorus, is the only heavenly respite, alluring in their
severeness and echoing one elusively sublime anthem. Nevertheless, no bludgeons
are spared with the riffs ever-slowed, reaching higher and simultaneously
rendering the fall that much greater, her timbre growing ever more strenous and
equally empowering. Same is true on ender ’Safe
Return’ with the band tirelessly alongside, showing no remorse by surpassing
themselves with tightness of interplay.
With an already familiar and unrelenting fervour the album closes
glorious on a definite high note.
Holy Grove’s first doomy foray is an undeniably solid
and considered effort. The enigmatic lyrics of leading enchantress combined
with the persistence of the power trio prove equally deadly as they are
absorbing. It wouldn’t be imprudent to expect the band's songwriting skill to
take them to great places, becasue this debut undoubtedly holds its own, but
they are more than capable of translating their stirring vision even further
still.
’Holy Grove’ is available here
