Stormcrow and Laudanum, two bands from Oakland, California (the same
city that birthed Neurosis and has been home to Dystopia, Brainoil and
Asunder) that approach heavy music from different angles with equally
devastating results.
Stormcrow has been fairly prolific over the last few years doing
split records with Mass Grave, Skaven and Sanctum. During this time the
band has built a reputation as the heaviest and most epic metallic crust
band since the mighty Bolt Thrower. On this split they deliver two more
masterpieces of skullcrushing power, adding elements of doom and
Swedish death metal into their sound. Easily their best songs yet.
Laudanum has previously released their largely overlooked debut “The
Apotheker” back in 2004 and a 7 inch in 2007. Their sound comes from a
much more doomed spectrum, as though the Melvins and Swans had been left
to rot in some dank Oakland industrial zone. Indeed a large part of
Laudanum’s sound is outright industrial influenced noise interspersed
with their gristled doom riffage.
Includes a coupon for a free MP3 download of the album!