There’s no denying Destroyer of Light‘s prolific sense of adventure. The Austin, Texas quartet’s first release was a live set and in the eight years since, the band has let loose three albums, three EPs and a split with Tucson Doom monsters Godhunter. The latest of those EPs, Generational Warfare (Heavy Friends Records), is more of a ‘double-A side’: a two-song blast of mournful energy.

The latter of those tracks, ‘Lullaby’, is a cover of the huge 80s ditty by The Cure, and lays waste to it in huge fashion: a funereal pace; massive resonance; and Steve Colca‘s clear intonation which evokes both Jaz Coleman and Andrew Eldritch. Penny Turner‘s monstrous drums dictate the pace wonderfully into the quickening coda alongside some soaring leadwork.

Opener ‘These Walls…’ also possesses that 80s Goth feel, largely due to the hissing, chiming guitar, but when the gigantic drum and riff combination comes a-kicking there’s no hiding the Epic Doom exploding through the ages: Colca and Keegan Kjeldesen‘s melodic dual leadplay sounding for all the world like early Pallbearer.

It may be a brief visit but if this is a taster of things to come then the promise is of something seriously impressive. The mix of lachrymal lamentation with such driving power, each aspect yielding to the other with a wondrous sense of timing, kicks these guys up to another level when, to be fair, there aren’t many more above them. If you’re a Doom fan, you need this.

8 / 10

PAUL QUINN