Tuesday 16 August 2016

ALBUM REVIEW: Lord Vicar - "Gates of Flesh"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length
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


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.

“Gates of Flesh” is available here

Band info: facebook

RIYL: Reverend Bizarre, Count Raven, Saint Vitus, Black Sabbath