Bongripper - Satan Worshipping Doom

Genre: Doom Metal

Origin: USA

Release Date: 2010

Label: Independent

This album is the essence of what Doom Metal has become. Influences come from all over the place, everything from the crushing tones of Sunn O))) to the classic vibes of Black Sabbath. As the band name suggests, this is best listened to after a slew of bong hits (for satan). The sound is reminiscent of the recent influx of Stoner/Doom bands yet feels refreshing and original.

The album artwork isn't the only awesome thing on this album. The guitar tone on Satan Worshipping Doom is crushing as Hell, the drums are slow and menacing yet not afraid to pick up the pace here and there, while the bass provides a nice bottom-end rumble to the whole package. There are no vocals on this psychedelic trip across the Styx, and therefore the focus of the album is on the crushing riffs and pounding drums. I cannot stress how massive these riffs are, this is a must-buy for any fan of the slower brands of Doom Metal.

1. Hail 13:44

2. Satan 11:37

3. Worship 16:00

4. Doom 11:53

53:14

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Sample

Primordial - A Journey's End

Genre: Folk/Black/Pagan

Origin: Ireland

Release Date: 1998

Label: Misanthropy Records

Primordial is well-known for their later epics, mainly To The Nameless Dead and The Gathering Wilderness. They are much less known for their early black metal material. This is their second album, and it is very black-metal inspired, yet sounds much like a folk album. This album takes us through 7 tracks of epic pagan-inspired metal.

A Journey's End gives us a very anthemic feel, but not as much as their later works. The black metal roots still hold here, and a mix of a deeply emotional clean vocals and harsh, angry -yet still emotional - growls. The overall sound is melodic and nothing stands out right away, all of the instruments mold together into one. The sound is distinctly Primordial, and instantly recognizable.

Most bands never even dream of being as emotional as Primordial are. The band has deep passion behind their music, and it shows.

1. Graven Idol 08:06

2. Dark Song 05:06

3. Autumn's Ablaze 08:17

4. Journey's End 08:01

5. Solitary Mourner 02:56

6. Bitter Harvest 10:34

7. On Aistear Deirneach 04:28

Total: 47:28

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Sample

477. Bedemon - Child of Darkness

Genre: Traditional Doom
Origin: USA
Release Date: 2005 (Recorded in ???)
Label: Black Widow Records

Bedemon was basically a side project from the guys in a band called Pentagram. Don't think that this is a copycat band of Pentagram, though. This is great early Doom Metal with a big folk tinge to it. This is a collection of remastered tapes recorded God knows when.

The production is, for the most part, shitty. It wasn't recorded bad on purpose, it's just all the band had at the time. Back in the 70s you couldn't just plug your amp into the soundcard of you computer. You had to record analog, with tape. This is a live recording, I think, and it was recorded in Pentagram's rehearsal room. Kvlt.

However, these "problems" add heavy charisma and a unique touch to the album. The songs are VERY memorable, catchy, and have well written lyrics that read like a folk tale. There is a heavy blues influence as well as the folk influence.

It's not very "intense" and it is pretty relaxing.

Don't blast it in the car. Please.

1.	Child of Darkness	04:13
2.	Enslaver of Humanity	02:55
3.	Frozen Fear	04:14
4.	One-way Road	02:47
5.	Serpent Venom	03:56
6.	Last Call	03:07
7.	Drive Me to the Grave	03:21
8.	Into the Grave	03:15
9.	Skinned	02:09
10.	Through the Gates of Hell	03:32
11.	Touch the Sky	05:06
12.	Child of Darkness II	03:02
13.	Time Bomb	04:28
14.	Nighttime Killers	03:46
15.	Axe to Grind	05:26

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A savior will walk the Earth again they say.

#478. Cyst - Concussion Symphony

Genre: Thrash Metal
Origin: USA
Year: 2002
Label: Hook N Mouth Records

Just before the infamous "thrash revival" there was a small band from West Palm Beach, Florida (which is my hometown :)) names Cyst, who loved nothing more than to pump out homage to bands like Slayer and Demolition Hammer. This sounds kinda like a cross between the two: Slayer's blistering riffage with the slower, groovy riffs of Demolition hammer. The vocals sound almost like Araya himself is at the mic. Hell, the last song on the album is a Slayer cover.

This isn't too original. This really isn't anything we haven't heard before. But, it's not supposed to be. It's thrash, for Heaven's sake! These guys thrash so hard, with so much energy, you just wonder how many guitar strings or drum heads Cyst goes through every day. This will get you moving, this will make you want to shove your fist through a wall.

It's a wonder how Cyst never gained any popularity while bands like Skeletonwitch are on major tours around the world. *sigh* the mysteries of life ;)

1.	Curse the Fates	03:53
2.	Syst	02:55
3.	I'll Break You Back	03:19
4.	Without a Sound	05:10
5.	Shield the Beating	04:22
6.	Inhuman	03:56
7.	Become Wrath	02:25
8.	The Deterioration of the American Psyche	04:15
9.	Angel of Death (Slayer cover)	03:49
Total playing time		33:15

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The cause of injury.

#479. Pagan Altar - Mythical and Magical

Genre: NWOBHM/Doom/Folk
Origin: United Kingdom
Year: 2006
Label: Oracle

Who do you think of when "best metal guitar player" is mentioned? Chuck Schuldiner, Ron Jarzombek? Glenn Tipton? If so, you're wrong. Alan Jones is the best guitar player I've ever heard. He doesn't "shred" or "sweep" all the time, but he writes just awesome lead lines one after another. This guy has a whole arsenal of leads in his mind, and he is not holding back to fire them out at you.

Ok, now that the inevitable is out of the way, lets take a look at Pagan Altar's third album in 32 years, Mythical and Magical. If you like folky stuff with a doom edge to it, look no further. Classic song after classic song, it is especially hard to believe that this is anything recent. This sounds like it was recorded back before Candlemass, before Trouble, and just after Black Sabbath. There are little to none modern doom influences in here, and this has a HUGE NWOBHM vibe to it.

The vocals could get on some people's nerves. They are very, very nasal, kinda like Mark Shelton, but ever more nasally. Might as well just sing through his nose. This is a plus for me, though. The are very powerful, sometimes overpowering at some times. This benefits the music in my opinion, but I can understand how others might think otherwise.

So this album, yes it's amazing. It has made me bang my head, and it has made me cry. Few albums can make one cry, but this is one of them. Get it immediately.

1.	Intro	00:43
2.	Samhein	05:30
3.	The Cry of the Banshee	05:15
4.	The Crowman	05:36
5.	Daemoni na Hoiche	05:14
6.	The Sorcerer	07:40
7.	Flight of the Witch Queen	04:10
8.	Dance of the Druids	07:26
9.	The Erl King	08:22
10.	The Witches Pathway	05:13
11.	Sharnie	01:20
12.	The Rising of the Dark Lord	08:42
Total playing time		01:05:11

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Beware the Raven that stands alone, the one that watches and waits

#480. Kataxu - Roots Thunder

Genre: NS Black Metal
Origin: Poland
Release Date: 2000
Label: Slava Productions

NSBM. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it. In this case I love it dearly with all my heart. Kataxu was actually one of the first black metal bands I got into, and I stumbled upon them while reading random reviews on a website.

This album is drenched in keyboards. They are everywhere. But, where most bands fail with the keyboard, this does the opposite. Captivating and emotional melodies meld together seamlessly, while epic and beautiful landscapes are created. This album fills you with wonder of natural beauty.

There are two metal tracks here, My Name Through the Forest and the title track. In between those songs are fantastic ambient songs. This is atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. The title track is probably the best song here, where near the middle of the song a sharp-sounding riff with thunder in the background comes up, and sends shivers down your spine. All 11 minutes of this song is pure sonic pleasure.

1.	Intro	02:59
2.	My Name from the Forest	07:14
3.	War	05:07
4.	Roots Thunder	11:32
5.	Nawia	03:19
Total playing time		30:11

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Sonic Orgasm

#481. Black Sabbath - Master of Reality

Genre: Traditional/Stoner Doom
Origin: United Kingdom
Release Date: 1971
Label: Warner

Ok, so this isn't underground in the least. But, hey, fuck you. This is the very first metal album I ever owned.

People get "into" metal through the more popular, mainstream bands. We didn't just start out liking Entombed. All of us at one point liked some embarrassing albums, too, whether they be Korn, Slipknot, or Poison. But anyway, some go through Metallica, some Megadeth, but my entry into metal was Black Sabbath, with Master of Reality, still one of the heaviest albums ever created. To think that this was recorded in fucking 1971 blows my mind. If I listened to this at that time I would've shat concrete blocks (made of weed)

There is a ton of psychedelic goodness here, with doomy, stonerific riffs. The riffs are just fantastic. If you thought that Dave Mustaine or Chuck Schuldiner were the best metal guitarists, then you are greatly mistaken, as proven by these monstrous riffs that roll over you with the force of a wave and the power of a fucking howitzer.

Among the sludge and doom riffage, though, are some slower tracks. "Solitude" is the only real soft song (the others are and intro and an interlude) but it is very neat. Arguably the first of a bajillion doom songs with the same name, the title fits the song perfectly. It's relaxing bass line and emotional lead playing really show the charisma that the band members share with each other.

The soft song leads into the heaviest song on the album, the epic and classic closer "Into the Void." Almost 30 years later, it still has some of the heaviest riffs known to man. Every instruments here ups the heavy factor by "1."

Bonus points for Geezer (fitting name, nowadays) here, the bass is very, very audible and the bass lines are excellent. He really paved the way for his instrument in heavy metal.

Sorry if this short review is a bit incoherent, because there is so much to say about this album. Listen for yourself, and take a trip - INTO THE VOID! (lame...)

1.	Sweet Leaf	05:05
2.	After Forever	05:26
3.	Embryo	00:28
4.	Children of the Grave	05:17
5.	Orchid	01:31
6.	Lord of This World	05:26
7.	Solitude	05:02
8.	Into the Void	06:12
Total playing time		34:27

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*link removed because of DMCA complaint. However, I now strongly suggest that you download the album, and then give all of your friends the mp3 files.*