Deathrattle Podcast plays on:
Fuzzheavy Radio ~ https://www.fuzzheavy.com/fuzzheavy-radio/
Hand Of Doom Radio ~ https://www.handofdoomradio.com/
Downtuned Magazine And Radio ~ http://www.downtunedmag.com/p/downtuned-radio.html
On this show I opened proceedings with one of my all time favourite stoner tracks 'Jim Beam And Good Green' by The Glasspack. As usual, the mix included death, stoner, doom and sludge, closing with a track from the much maligned Judas Priest album 'Rocka Rolla'
Bands Worshipped on this show;
THE GLASSPACK
MOUNTAIN DUST
HELL BENT
SATHAMEL
FRIENDSHIP
SILVER DEVIL
SLOMATICS
CONSECRATION/ABOMINATION EKHOS SPLIT
LIGÆDER
PANZERFAUST
GOZU
GORCROW
LITTLE BOY LOST
DESOLLADO
JUDAS PRIEST
OLD HORN TOOTH ~ Ghost Grey Depths
I guess I could use the usual metaphors and words to describe this EP ( 40 minutes long ) but 'crushing' 'mountainous' etc doesn't even come close to describing the sheer enormity of the three tracks the band has to offer with this, their first release. I say three tracks, there are actually four but I'll come to that later. This is doom sludge at its heaviest that somehow manages to maintain some form of structure before it collapses under its own weight.
Don't expect much in the way of technicality or time changes as like The Titanic, its too damn massive to maneuver, instead, each struck chord resonates as it decimates everything in it's path, with riffs that could crush Earth's Mantle, riffs so large, they could be orbited by their own moon.
I suppose Electric Wizard comparisons are going to be thrown around and that's fair enough, but I swear that even those doom wizards sound polished when measured against the abyssal surge of grimness on offer here, in fact, if you need a barometer then I'd go as far as to use the filthier sound of Ramesses, but with the depth of sound cranked up to oblivion.
I can't help but think that the band would have been better off keeping Ghost Grey Depths as a three tracker as the fourth song 'Grief' is very experimental and abstract. In a sense the band has made a rod for its own back because after listening, stupefied, to the first three tracks, 'Grief' becomes something of a let down.
That being said, based on the first three lengthy tracks, Ghost Grey Depths is a highlight for me. Considering that this is the bands first release, it's a remarkable achievement and I don't have enough superlatives to describe the feelings this gargantuan ep brings.
The band is also beginning a journey of gigs. I hope to God they check the foundations of the buildings first!
LITTLE BOY LOST ~ Jaunt
Little Boy Lost is a band that bubbles under the surface in the stoner circles I usually inhabit, in part, I think, to the alternative rock tag associated with this Italian 3-piece, but don't be deceived because among the punkish, alt rock riffs, beats a huge stoner heart. However, don't expect the wasted, slacker, laid back approach of the classic Fu Manchu school of stoner sounds, instead 'Jaunt' is chock full of attitude along the lines of later Gonga (listen to the track Total Lazsio).
The thing I really like about this band's releases is that they keep you engaged throughout. Little Boy Lost is an interesting experience, the band never keeping to a single formula and will often drift off into pastures new be it Nirvana type grunge, dabbling in a little psychedelic melody, or heaving out the off doom riff here and there.
Bandcamp is a treasure trove and we should be eternally grateful of the concept, but don't blindly follow the tagging system, be brave and follow your instincts like I did. Its the best way of discovering gems that might never have seen the light of day in your music collection, treasure such as Little Boy Lost are waiting to be unearthed!
Favourite track ~ The opening track 'Penetration' it has a driving beat, tantric vocals and thick, warm sound. Possibly the truest stoner track on the album.
