The Stoner and Doom scene has never been bigger and more vibrant than it is right now. But a plethora of bands means it can be hard to stand out in the crowd. And this is the challenge faced by German doom/sludge quartet Obelyskkh.

Their H.P. Lovecraft-inspired fourth album The Providence (Exile on Mainstream) touches all the main bases of Doom and Stoner – Electric Wizard, Sleep, High on Fire etc, and does a decent job of aping what makes those bands good.  It’s distorted, heavy, atmospheric, and not afraid to settle on a sleepy hypnotic jam. The quality sound gives the meaty riffs extra heft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLaskQ2DfTs

Haunting eeriness of the opening title track is particularly satisfying, there are some nice guitar melodies on ‘Raving Ones’, while ‘Northern Lights’ strays into almost Black Metal realms of bleakness. ‘NYX’ shows off a more dynamic side, swaying from crushing riff to slow groove and dark acoustics, all with haunting overtone.

However, with only six tracks on the album and most clocking in over or around the 10-minute mark, it does occasionally stray into plodding territory, especially in the final third. The vocals vary from pained screams to Al Cisneros-like chanting, but are probably the weakest aspect of the album.

The Providence is a solid but largely unremarkable record. There’s nothing particularly wrong with it, but there’s little to separate it from the legions of other similar acts out there. But, you could do a lot worse if you’re hankering after a solid slab of dirty doom.

6.0/10

DAN SWINHOE