ALBUM REVIEW: Olde - "Temple"

By: Mark Tremblay

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 11/08/2017

Label: STB Records |

Medusa Crush Recordings

Olde’s “Temple” is doom metal done the way it should be. It is well-crafted, forward-thinking, and a contender for one of the best records of the year.

“Temple” CD//CS//DD//LP track listing:

1). Subterfuge

2). Now I See You

3). The Ghost Narrative

4). Temple

5). Centrifugal Disaster

6). Maelstrom

7). Castaway

The Review

Olde can be best defined as “Efficient Doom Metal”; creating atmospheric and riff-centric music without wasting time. Olde’s “Temple” showcases their most refined music to date; there is not another doom band that understands how to write great riffs, without them overstaying their welcome. Olde runs the gamut of everything the genre offers; from Kyuss-y blues, to darker and more punishing in bands like Yob.

The album starts with two quick stoner metal tracks; “Subterfuge”, and “Now I See You”; hypnotic riffs by riff-master Greg Dawson. Ryan Aubin’s familiar groove oriented drum style is particularly highlighted on these tracks, showing why he is the best drummer in the genre. The album takes a darker turn with more plodding dirge’s in “The Ghost Narrative” and “Temple”. Not only do they create a necessary balance in the records pace, but also show off some of the best lead guitar work on the record. The guitar solo on “The Ghost Narrative” is particularly brain melting.

The album concludes with their best track “Castaway” a very Baroness infused track filled with huge open chords, and interplay between major and minor keys. This song also flexes their atmospheric muscles; utilizing faint guitar feedback and other sound clips in a much more advanced manner to their previous release. This song concludes the album on an interesting footnote of what is to come for Olde.

Olde’s “Temple” is doom metal done the way it should be. It is well-crafted, forward-thinking, and a contender for one of the best records of the year.

Band info: bandcamp || facebook