REVIEW: Egypt - "Cracks And Lines" (EP)

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: EP

Date released: 20/06/2017

Label: Independent

“Cracks and Lines” CD//DD track listing:

               

1. Final Heist

2. Cracks and Lines

3. Dirge

4. Watchin' You

5. What Lights This Ocean

The Review:

Many metal fans were introduced to Fargo band Egypt through their 2013 release, “Become the Sun”. Tracks like "World Eater" were a crushing, and welcome, introduction to Egypt’s sound. That stoner/doom wall the group creates is deceptively melodic. Egypt knows how to construct songs that are undoubtedly heavy, but simultaneously catchy.

While it’s true ‘catchy’ is surely not something you’d think of first, its commitment is undeniable. Egypt’s influences, such as Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, enabled able to create a mood and tone, but also to craft music that stuck with you. Egypt takes cues from those forefathers and seems devoted to making music that is artful as it is pounding. Some might consider that approach too traditional, though it is nevertheless pleasing. Toss in rich storytelling in its songwriting and lyrics, and you get an uncommon and surprisingly high bar.

As with a lot of doom bands, Egypt is likely best experienced live. However, the band has managed in the past to bottle up and represent itself well on disc, wax and digital. Now, after several stops and starts – the squad’s released just two EPs and two full-lengths in 10 years – Egypt is back at it with “Cracks and Lines”. The North Dakota outfit’s new five-song affair is sure to please its loyalists and perhaps beckon a few doubters of the subgenre.

This EP gets a lot of heft from the  guitar attack of Neal Stein, who’s fronted other bands during his tenure. They remain true to Egypt’s core sound, while sprinkling in other influences on occasion. The duo shine best on the title track, where the sonic typhoon rises, falls and crests again, offering a tremendous listening experience.

Lots of credit has to go to bassist and vocalist Aaron Esterby, who gives consistently strong vocals, no matter if it’s the 10-minute-plus tracks you might associate with stoner/doom metal or the shorter and perhaps accessible songs (to new fans). He and drummer Chad Heille also deserve a lot of praise for their peerless rhythm backdrops. That backbone has long been an Egypt signature, and it stuns throughout “Cracks and Lines”. The restraint that launches "What Lights the Ocean" opens up into a ferocious landscape for Grahn and Stein to add their own power to the songwriting offered up.

In spite of the short run of just under 40 minutes, “Cracks and Lines” has a few treats you’ll want to check out. "Dirge" brings a psychedelic vibe to the festivities. It is the shortest cut on the EP, but stands out because it is so divergent from the rest of the collection. The opening track, "Final Heist," is a fantastic way to begin. Not only is the band’s brilliant chemistry on full display, the lyrics are interesting and sure to bring you back.

One has to assume touring and life in general are thwarting a full-length for Egypt. “Cracks and Lines” is nevertheless a strong effort to satiate fans until that time comes.

“Cracks and Lines” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

"From the doom streets of Oslo": The Sludgelord Presents: "Serpents, Gods & Men" by Tempelheks

Tempelheks is a psychedelic doom rock experience. Based on the heavy riff of the 70's, Tempelheks experiment with folky and traditional melodies coupled with eerie and mystical vocals. A groovy but hard beat drives the desert caravan onward. With the 2014 debut LP, they built the foundation of the serpent-worshipping cult's temple.

Originally conceived  as a solo project in 2013 Tempelheks released their debut EP "Red Forest " which got picked up by a doom/stoner channel on YouTube. The unexpected attention motivated Tempelheks to write their self-titled debut album in 2014. Since then, founding member HS has been accompanied by Andreas Prestby (drums, percussion), Espen Sande Larsen (bass, backing vocals) and Sindre Øhman (guitar).

Among the band's inspirations you'll find Uncle Acid, Jex Thoth and Egypt as well as Thin Lizzy, Pentagram and King Crimson. Hailing from the doom streets of Oslo, Norway where they rule together with bands such as Tusmørke, Hymn and Purple Hill Witch. The band is now ready with their second full length which will be released on Heksekunst Productions  on Friday 19th of August.

Drawing lyrical themes that are heavily inspired by characters and events from Robert E. Howard's fantasy universe "Hyboria", today at The Sludgelord, it gives us great pleasure to present their new album “Serpents, Gods and Men” in full for your listening pleasure.  The album can be pre-ordered here

“Serpents, Gods & Men” track listing:

1). The Serpent Citadel
2). Cobra
3). Riders
4). Fall of Man
5). Awakening
6). Come Atlantis
7). Hyperborean Rites
9). An Ancient Wizard
10). Dawn of Man

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

Egypt - "Endless Flight" (Album Review)

By Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 14/12/2015

Label: Doomentia Records

With an excellent album cover that recalls “Never Say Die”, the band let you know what they are about- spacey and heavy stoner rock/doom with plenty of Sabbath and a little Fu Manchu thrown in there. You have a guitar in your left ear, the bass in your right and drums and vocals in the middle in this wall of sound type production.  If you want some stoner/doom to start the year off, then this is a fine choice. A great record that you can play all the way through and just enjoy.  

“Endless Flight” CD//DD//LP

1).Endless Flight

2). The Tomb

3). Tres Madres

4). Black Words

5). Shaman’s March

Egypt is

Aaron Esterby | Vocals, bass

Chad Heille | Drums

Neil Stein | Guitars

The Review:

Dakota and fuzz are not something you would necessarily put together, but I can tell you that the state and the sound combine here with Egypt's “Endless Flight” full length. Although this was released back in December 2015, I am only a month late and this is the first “new” record I have heard this year. What a start!

The riffs come thick, but laid back and the rhythm section adds real swing to the opening title track.  You get five tracks over 35 minutes plus of excellent grooves and thick guitars. With an excellent album cover that recalls “Never Say Die”, the band let you know what they are about- spacey and heavy stoner rock/doom with plenty of Sabbath and a little Fu Manchu thrown in there. You have a guitar in your left ear, the bass in your right and drums and vocals in the middle in this wall of sound type production.

“The Tomb” sets up a classic Sabbath style groove (there is also a tambourine overdub- excellent) before the full weight of sound and vocals come crashing in. The vocals, incidentally, are gruff, but not fully growled, think a more chilled out Matt Pike and you are getting there. The drums are live sounding, but soft in tone and attack. “Tres Madres” has more focused propulsion in that it does not swing, necessarily, but the groove is still very much there. The track is based around riffs with stops (a trick Helmet used to employ to great effect) which only accentuates the weight of riffage.

“Black Words” follows with a riff straight out of the more experimental side of “...In Search of” by the aforementioned Fu Manchu. Over the course of its eight minutes, the band lengthen their stride and lumber forwards with fuzz drenched heft. The vocals don't even come in until nearly three minutes have passed and they take on a harsher tone, while the tempo stays slow. A rolling groove brings the track to a close.

Finally, this LP is finished with “Shaman's March”, a weighty and plodding affair (as you might expect!) with plenty of doom. In fact, probably the most doom laden track on the album! This is a downbeat and appropriate way to end this record of many moods. It has light and shade aplenty, but with the focus being on the light overall, perhaps.

If you want some stoner/doom to start the year off, then this is a fine choice. A great record that you can play all the way through and just enjoy.  

“Endless Flight” is available to download here and CD//LP will be available here

FFO: Black Sabbath, Fu Manchu, Black Pyramid, Moonless

Band info: bandcamp | facebook

The Sludgelord News: Godflesh, Crowbar, Truckfighters, Egypt and more acts confirmed to play DESERTFEST LONDON 2016!

UK's #1 stoner, doom, sludge and psych event DESERTFEST LONDON is thrilled to announce the second wave of artists who will be taking the stage at the 2016 edition, taking place in April 29th to May 1st across multiple venues in the legendary musical hub of Camden Town... 

NOLA's sludge metal heroes CROWBAR will be heading back over seas to make ears bleed, bringing their influential slow-and-low sound to an eager, ready, and willing Desertfest. Kirk Windstein and his crew of titans haven’t graced UK revellers with their rowdy presence since 2014; and Crowbar has never played Desertfest London. Making for a truly exciting, and long over-due, addition to the already stellar proceedings next year has in store.

Desertfest are also pleased to reveal that our friends at Old Empire will once again be curating a stage, bringing an eclectic and exciting array of acts to broaden the pallet. First to be announced are industrial legends GODFLESH, who will be headlining the Old Empire offerings. Their experimental and aggressive sound has established the Birmingham-based duo as one of the most innovative bands in industrial music, cited as influencing everyone from Metallica to Faith No More. 

As if all that wasn’t enough to process, there’s of course a healthy helping of doom and stoner rock goodness joining the mix for Desertfest 2016. Heavy-hitting warriors TRUCKFIGHTERS will be chucking riffs left, right and centre, alongside fellow Swedish fuzz lords MONOLORD, who will be riding easy and destroying all in one slow, hard and loud blow. Psychedelic monsters WO FAT are a welcome return, having well and truly mastered the art of trippy doom – many can do it, but few do it as well as the Dallas desert trio. EGYPT will also be heading over and hitting the bill hard to bring some Dakota doom goodness to the haze, alongside eccentric instrumental gurus ROTOR. Southern rock lovin’ PLANET OF ZEUS are bringing their raw grooves out of the Greek underground and into thirsty a London, and finally heavy rockers MOTHERSHIP will be taking fans well out the galaxy – musically speaking, of course. 

- DESERTFEST LONDON 2016 -

April 29th to May 1st in Camden, London (UK)

Weekend tickets available AT THIS LOCATION

Current lineup is as follows:

ELECTRIC WIZARD

GODFLESH

CROWBAR

TRUCKFIGHTERS

ELDER

EGYPT

CONAN

WO FAT

MOTHERSHIP

MONOLORD

ROTOR

RAGING SPEEDHORN

PLANET OF ZEUS

WITCHSORROW

Get more infos at www.thedesertfest.com 

Follow the festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

The Sludgelord News: Egypt & Tombstones Euro Tour 2015

Fargo, North Dakota and Oslo, Norway a distance of some 6,457 km or 4,012 miles and yet two bands, Egypt and Tombstones have united together with a mission to wreak sonic devastation across Europe.  With both bands having released critically acclaimed records and with new material long overdue from both comps, this may well be the only opportunity to see these guys in or around Europe before they regroup to the respective practice spaces to record new records. 

Fresh from short Euro Tour, Tombstones played a number of shows with the likes of Eyehategood and having seen the band first hand, they are a band you wont want to miss.  With what is likely to be their first foray into Europe, Egypt are a power trio with some reputation and hopefully with the next release, they will begin to find the fan base they so richly deserve.  Kicking off in London, the bands head out on a 14 day tour.  So go support them. 

Check the dates below

23.05.2015 UK - London, Underworld -
24.05.2015 UK - Hastings, Union Bar
26.05.2015 CH - Geneve, Kalvingrad
27.05.2015 IT - Kulturcafe Schlachthaus, Dornbirn
28.05.2015 CH - Olden, Coq D'Or
29.05.2015 A - Innsbruck, PMK
30.05.2015 A - Vienna, Arena
31.05.2015 DE - Nürnberg, K4
01.06.2015 NL - Brussel, Le Bunker
02.06.2015 F - Paris, Glazart
03.06.2015 BE - Antwerpen, AMC
04.06.2015 NL - Nijmegen, Onderbroek
05.06.2015 CH - Winterhur, Helvti
06.06.2015 DE - Netphen, Freak Valley Festival

For more information  

http://www.facebook.com/tombstonesoslo

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Egypt-Doom/220951734668136



Choice Cuts : Egypt - (S/T) EP

Egypts’s line – up for this recording was

Aaron Esterby | Vocals/bass

Chad Helle |Drums
Ryan Grahn | Guitar

Review :

Egypt is a band hailing from Fargo, North Dakota, and these guys have written some of my all-time favourite songs. I recall a buzz about their self-titled record/demo on forums around 2007 I think it was, and eventually I found a download link on the web. This 4-track masterpiece was initially a demo-recording set to score the band live-gigs outside of their hometown. Recorded in a tiny concrete shack by drummer Chad Helle, Egypt gave their first four songs ever written a vibe which in my world only can be described as magic. The bass was recorded on a SVT Pro II plugged straight into the board, and for guitar a 50w Marshall-head, into a 4x12 and a 4x15.

The demo was picked up by stonerrock.com, who shipped it out as freebies through their All That Is Heavy-store, and eventually it was picked up by Norwegian North Dakota-student Andreas Jensen, who decided he would release it as a limited vinyl on his label, Lyderhorn Records, after seeing the band live countless times.

Well, back to the songs. I remember the first time I put the record on; I was at my parent’s house in the countryside. “Valley of the Kings” tingled my ears from the very first note.  The phaser-ridden bass, great guitar sound and the gentle groove. Aaron’s vocals are incredible on this record, and “Erect a monument to me, for I alone am your king” is such a strong start, and that sentence sticks to your head. But it was in the up-tempo part towards the end of the song, it happened.  When the tempo drops, and the chugged-like, muted guitar part kicks in at 5:55 I knew I loved this band. That riff is so simple, but unbelievably cool. And the best was yet to come.

The second track, “Queen of all Time (Red Giant) is one of the best songs I’ve heard to date. I don’t know how many times I have spinned it on my stereo. Everything on this song is perfect. It eventually ended up with me writing a song for our “Year of the Burial”-album, called “Egypt”, just to pay homage to this fantastic piece of music. Our “Egypt” spins around almost the same chord-progression, so hopefully people recognize our nod to the Fargo-lads.

The next two tracks on Egypt S/T, “Dirty Witch” and “Touch Ground” are also killer songs, with long and jammy parts, filled with feel good riffs. Nevertheless it’s the first two songs that did it for me. I simply love them!

Words and recommendation by : Ole Christian Helstad (Tombstones)

Album details:

Demo was recorded 2004, released on limited LP by Lyderhorn Records 2008, released on CD by Meteor City 2009. Remastered by James Plotkin.

Egypt, album track listing :

1). Valley of the Kings 7.33
2). Queen of all time (Red Giant) 9.22
3). Dirty Witch 7.17
4). Touch Ground 7.30

If you haven’t heard this band or this record, go check em’ out.  Thanks to Ole from the band Tombstones for his recommendation and we’ll be back next time with yet more, Choice Cuts recommendations !!  So until then, stay metal and Doom On!!

You can buy it here

For more information :

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Egypt-Doom/220951734668136