Crushing Doom split from Massachusetts' Black Pyramid and Kentucky's Old One
Limited edition splatter vinyl!
A review...
Finally after what seemed like a endless delay comes the much awaited
12" split album from Black Pyramid and Old One. Both these bands should
need no introduction but if have been living under a rock the last year
or two, here is a brief intro anyway. Black Pyramid from Massachusetts
firmly placed themselves on top on the Stoner/Doom mountain of bands
with their self-titled album, released last year. One of the albums of
the year and one of the strongest debut releases of the last 10 years.
The album is a monumental instant classic album packed to the rim with
killer riff after killer riff, as one reviewer said, "nothing but an
unsurpassed pleasure". Old One from Kentucky also released a classic
debut album but didn't get the support it deserved, that will remain a
mystery as to why it happened that way. This drum/bass combo packs more
of a sonic punch that most full bands do. They are also rich in the
riffing department, not to mention the churning, psychedelic edge they
have embedded in their horror-filled, bombastic sound that is similar to
run over by a bulldozer. So the scene is set, two monster bands on the
same album, how can you go wrong ?
The two Black Pyramid tracks
go way beyond any expectations, its as if the band have even more fire
in the cannon than ever before, they sound heavier, more precise like
they have taken their strongest elements and amplified them by 100. The
first track "Illumination" kills everything in its path, the first half
of this epic tune is based around a pure classic riff. Riffs like these
don't come along too often, heavy, repetitive but oozing with class.
Andy's great vocal perfection's are in full flight throughout the track
but its the steady, monumental riffing that makes "Illumination" such a
killer piece. While the first of the track is mammoth in Stoner/Doom
riffarama, the second half heads off into a more Psychedelic Rock sound
while maintaining every ounce of heaviness along the way. The psych
guitar influences are there along with the trippy, spacey organ sound
that seems to float above everything else. Black Pyramid have really
broaden their sound with this track without losing none of their doomy
goodness. The second installment from Black Pyramid comes in the form of
"Warswine", a lot more basic and typical of Black Pyramid's original
style but no less classic. Beginning with a riff that can only be
described as threatening, it soon turns into a extreme assault of
bombarding, headbanging intensity. A old-school type of galloping beat
and rhythms propels the band into over-driven, furious metal, like
Sabbath on speed complete with ripping guitar solos.
Old One's
first track is "Over the Hill" which gets on its merry way with droning
organ sounds that are positivly vintage before they unleash what they
are so good at, a Electric Wizard styled pulverizing grooving riff. The
overall sound sounds a little cleaner than what is on their CD but its
just as heavy, their debut album was so heavy, you wouldn't want to
repeat it unless you want to be sued for destroying speaker-systems
worldwide, i mean the sound on that album is sick! The groove, Old One
set up on "Over The Hill" is a bit more mid-tempo than what you might be
used to but its a mid-paced doom burner that slices and crushes. Old
One slows things down towards the end of the track for a total
doomed-out finale but for the most part this one grooving, twisted
track. The most interesting of the two installments from Old One is the
second cut called "Hexed". The story goes the song dates back to when
the guys were only 16 years old. If this is true, they already had their
Doom grooves down and perfected, at least in terms of songwriting.
"Hexed" has all the classic Old One trademarks, the creepy old
horror-movie organ sound and the thicker than quicksand groove. The end
result is one that will please all old-school doomers, especially the
ones that grew up on Electric Wizard's Dopethrone album. This is a dirge
that is for those people that called EW's Witchcult Today album
commercial, those type of Doom freaks will play this till the needle
melts on their turntables. Must also mention Mike Cooper's vocal lines
which are pure unadulterated brilliance, he has a vocal sound that is
not only only distinctive but automatically timeless in its delivery.
OK, i admit this has been a really long review just for 4 songs but its
simply too good to sum up in a few words. Not sure on the official
release date of this but i know its real soon and with the tracks
already floating around the internet, it shows these 4 songs have
already created a lot of interest. Do whatever it takes to get this 12".
It kills! 10/10 ---Doom Metal Alliance
