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ZOROASTER s/t CD |
| Raw, gnarly drone sludge from Atlanta's Zoroaster does a fine job of picking up where Sleep's Jerusalem left off, laying down menacing low-end droning doom riffs that seem to stretch out forever over the propulsive, rolling drumming. Zoroaster are just as, if not moreso, droning and repetitious as Sleep, although these 4 songs run a mere 4-11 minutes in length each.... |
| BATTLE KOMMAND (2006) NEW / UNPLAYED / SEALED |
| DOMESTIC RELEASE |
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[PLOT SUMMARY]
DESCRIPTION:
Raw, gnarly drone sludge from Atlanta's Zoroaster does a fine job of picking up where Sleep's Jerusalem left off, laying down menacing low-end droning doom riffs that seem to stretch out forever over the propulsive, rolling drumming. Zoroaster are just as, if not moreso, droning and repetitious as Sleep, although these 4 songs run a mere 4-11 minutes in length each. Each song is a massive, rumbling meditation on a single blackened chord that is pounded out for minutes on end, occasionally embellished with a swampy, southern sludge riffa la Weedeater or Eyehategod, before returning to the all-powerful drone riff as deep monstrous death vocals bellow incomprehensible invocations. Imagine an overcaffienated Sunn O))) sped up to near-rocking pace, with rolling drums that are like a combination of raw tribal beats and almost marching-style rhythms, and you might have an idea of the black tar trance these dudes are spewing. It's little wonder that Doom specialists Southern Lord are involved with the distribution of this release, as it's f*ckin' righteous hypno doom. Fans of the heaviest doom/sludge sh*t like Sleep, Soulpreacher, Warhorse, Grief, etc., all need to check this out. The weirdly phallic squid imagery on the cover and song titles like "Mons Venus" and "Honey And Salt" lend a dark sexual imagery to the music. 32 minutes of monolithic and skull numbing heaviness.
REVIEW FROM BRAINWASHED: 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. 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.
REVIEW FROM STYLUS MAGAZINE: Not since the Big Easy’s Eyehategod has the Dirty South birthed an ensemble this potent. Zoroaster, whom cull their moniker from the Iranian prophet of the same name, come forth bearing recognizable sludge and doom all given the same sort of treatment as comrades-in-arms Eyehategod, Sleep, or Bullhead era Melvins. This EP gives one several different looks at the band, with swamp gator paean to Tampa titty bar, “Mons Venus;” BDSM booty-shaker “Bullwhip,” which sleepwalks through single riff rides; “Honey & Salt”—a shout out to Sandburg and Sleep, slows St. Vitus down to a beer and Benadryl crawl, which provides the perfect segue way into “Defile,” and even slower black-lunged creeper. These last two are indicative of Zoroaster’s capability, which is to say that when the group is patient enough to let riffs rise and decay, the song writes itself. This EP was put to tape in 48 hours; mixed down in a day. Given longer, they’ll likely usurp their influences and give one something large enough to lie down in.
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[CONDITION+INFO]
BRAND NEW, UNPLAYED ITEM.
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