Date Released: 17/6/2016
Label: The Church Within Records
For
anyone wanting quality traditional doom, the purchase of this album is a no
brainer. Lord Vicar represents the very best in the genre and this album is a
focused and fulfilling listen.
“Gates
of Flesh” CD track listing:
1). Birth of Wine
2). The Green Man
3). A Shadow of Myself
4). Breaking the Circle
5). Accidents
6). A Woman out of Snow
7). Leper, Leper
2). The Green Man
3). A Shadow of Myself
4). Breaking the Circle
5). Accidents
6). A Woman out of Snow
7). Leper, Leper
The
Review:
Doom,
done properly, is the greatest. Lord Vicar, known for doing doom properly do
not disappoint here. Kimi Karki brings some seriously great guitar riffs and
sounds to the table- always adhering to the Iommi blueprint (and of course the
lineage of doom players that came afterwards). Expect swinging grooves, more
psychedelic and gentle sections and some rather mournful vocals from Christian
Linderson (supergroup!).
I
am drawn to any track/album/imagery- and even public house- that has anything
to do with “The Green Man”, so track
two was a given for me. It is a fuzz drenched groove that leads the track off
and the airy production carries the riffs along nicely. “A Shadow of Myself” is a rather sombre affair- no surprises there-
but is also primarily a bass solo that is an excellent listen. Now that may be
a surprise!
“Breaking the Circle” boasts a hypnotic riff
that defines the term doom metal- just massive- and echoes The Gates of Slumber's final
recorded work; all paranoid lyrics and fatalistic atmosphere. “Accidents” represents the “loping
groove” side of Sabbathian doom which goes into a snails pace and then into
swinging tempo pace. Truthfully, this track felt to me like a bit of a filler-
but that is only because the three sections are so distinct. I also hasten to
add that each section is great... it just didn't feel like a song. “A Woman Out of Snow” is a very
different proposition- gentle acoustics and a mournful vocal sets up an album
highlight. It's different, but believe me when I say that it is still very
doomy. When the band kick in, the groove is fantastic and the minor key harmony
is a killer.
“Leper, Leper” is the album's epic
closing statement. Downtrodden doom, clocking in at over ten minutes in length,
the track lets the band spread their wings and really lock into the groove. For
anyone wanting quality traditional doom, the purchase of this album is a no
brainer. Lord
Vicar represents the very best in the genre and this album is a
focused and fulfilling listen.
Band info: facebook
RIYL: Reverend Bizarre, Count Raven, Saint Vitus, Black Sabbath
