By: Richard Maw
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 26/08/2016
Label: Bad Omen Records
This is a fine debut and a much needed shot of trad doom, with
actual songs, - in an era of obsession with amps and pedals (but without, you
know, actual songs and stuff). It is a triumph for this intrepid trio and
surely there are great things to come for the band. Make no mistake, Wretch are
here and Wretch will bring you real doom or throw you out of the bar if you
don't like it.
“Wretch” track listing:
1). Running out of Days
2). Rest in Peace
3). Blood Finger
4). Winter
5). Icebound
6). Grey Cast Mourning
7). Drown
The
Review:
For
me, it was an exultant thought of “at last!” when this album came through for
review. Regular readers of The Sludgelord will know what high regard I
hold Wretch
main-man Karl Simon's previous band, The Gates of Slumber, in. TGOS are one of the best doom
bands of all time, end of discussion. The split of the band and the untimely
passing of bassist Jason McCash (much missed) meant that Simon would have to
rise, phoenix-like, with a new band.
Wretch show from
the off that they are a trio to be reckoned with. Out are the Conan/sword and
sorcery tropes of the TGOS, in are the street level stylings of Saint Vitus;
doom, despair and downers. “Running Out
Of Days” kicks things off in great style. As an opening statement of intent,
as a stand alone track, as a return for Karl Simon: it is a triumph. It has all
that is great about doom; cracking riff, good thick AND clear production, great
hook and theme. A banger.
“Rest In Peace” takes the
tempo down a notch. Although Simon is the marquee name involved, Chris on drums
and Bryce on bass (as they are credited on Facebook) play their part in this
record and contribute a rock solid foundation for the riffage and vocals. The
pure Sabbath
worship on offer here is a treat. “Bloodfinger”
is a mellower instrumental track, drenched in phase- solos without anything
other than the rhythm section underneath are assured...
“Winter” has an
insistent main riff and a creepy feel, reminding me of a lowed down and fuzzed
up early “Judas Priest”. “Icebound” is the record's central
pillar, and the only song of epic length- coming in as it does at over eight
minutes. The arrangement is pure doom- massive riff, vocal, solo, vocal and so
on. This is doom in its purest form; unadulterated and unadorned (Sabbath-esque
fast section guaranteed). A cowbell also features here, praise the dark lord!
“Grey Cast
Mourning”is
a rather moving clean guitar instrumental with lots of tape hiss and character-
a more musical cousin of something Mr Chandler might whip up, perhaps. It works
as a fine intro/bridge into the excellent “Drown”-
which rounds this seven track album off in strong style. Downtuned and
downcast, this is a rip-ride of a track; slow and crushing.
Karl
Simon has managed to bring the more direct elements of his previous band (and
of the genre's other greats) and combine them with his distinctive vocal and
guitar style to make Wretch work as a band. As a reference point,
think of the final album by TGOS (obvious, considering the title) combined
with the more street level bands of doom. This is a fine debut and a much
needed shot of trad doom, with actual songs, - in an era of obsession with amps
and pedals (but without, you know, actual songs and stuff). It is a triumph for
this intrepid trio and surely there are great things to come for the band. Make
no mistake, Wretch
are here and Wretch
will bring you real doom or throw you out of the bar if you don't like it.
