Hailing from the US of A , Rhode Island to be more correct, this is the second release of the Sludge / Stoner band HOWL. I would like to discuss the Stoner issue here, HOWL aren’t a true Stoner band as they are more of a Death edged Stoner, or if you like Stoned to Death and even Death by a Stone. It seems that this band are trying to go in the path of HIGH ON FIRE with even similar drum works and Riffing.
The album consist from 10 tracks of brutal Stoner Metal, don’t be mistaken you need to have a strong nerves to listen to this album without breaking something in your home or hitting the guy standing near you in the Bus stop when your Sennheiser headphone struggle to keep up with the massive riffs and bass of HOWL, however something is missing here and I couldn’t pin point the issue only summarizing with a lack of a punch.
Best songs are “Midnight Eyes” as it shows some of the Stoner abilities of these guys, “One Last Nail” sorry to say not stoner nor Death however more Deathish style and a good solid tryout, “With A Blade” hails as Sludge meets Stoner at is best.
It seems that this album falls between the cracks however there are many people who likes that. As for me? I’m in the limbo here hence my rating.
Tracklist:
1. Attrition 2. Midnight Eyes 3. Demonic 4. One Last Nail 5. Down So Low 6. Your Hell Begins 7. With A Blade 8. Of War 9. The Mouth Of Madness 10. Embrace Your Nerve
Lineup:
Timmy St.Amour - Drums Vincent Hausman - Vocals Josh Durocher-Jones - Guitars Jesse Riley - Bass Jonathan Hall - Guitars