The debut EP from the Atlanta doom metallers Zoroaster is a solid disc of riffery. It may not be the best Sabbath worship I’ve heard but it’s definitely above average. They do not reach the heady heights of Sleep or Electric Wizard but this release shows that they have the potential to rise up to meet those sonic titans.
Battle Kommand
The self-titled EP opens with “Mons Venus” which starts off less than excitingly. The vocals sound like they came from a completely different recording session to the music. They sound too clinical (in a growling sort of way) for them to fit properly with the rest of the song. Musically I can’t fault it; the playing is tight, heavy and pushes all the right buttons at the right time. Had the vocals been better mixed then it would be a much stronger piece but as it stands it doesn’t pummel me into oblivion like the later pieces do.
As the CD goes on, it gets better and better. “Bullwhip” increases the tempo and the rhythm that forms is substantial and straightforward. The vocalist relies less on growling and more on singing (while keeping a healthy dose of gravel in his throat) which fits better with the music. Slowing down again, “Honey and Salt” is a huge, full guitar and bass refrain that suggests to me that this is only the tip of the iceberg with Zoroaster. They’re not rewriting the rules of doom but with this song they at least show that they are more than capable of keeping up with the giants that have gone before.
Zoroaster finishes with “Defile” (well there’s a short secret track but it is of little consequence compared to this). Here Zoroaster peak as everything falls into place. The failed vocal style from the first song returns but this time it works far better. The music is less dependent on one or two repeating riffs; the greater variety means that the band explodes from the speakers again and again over the eleven minutes giving a constant barrage of powerful riffing.
The half an hour of doom presented here by Zoroaster has whetted my appetite for more. Their forthcoming album with Battle Kommand will be the true test; if they continue with songs like “Defile” and “Honey and Salt” then I’m sure it will be the dog’s bollocks. If they become formulaic and just another doom band then at least I still have this EP to fall back on.
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