Having successfully reinvented themselves as a power trio on 2018’s What Was And What Shall Be, Brimstone Coven, doubles down on the template with The Woes Of A Mortal Earth (Ripple Music). The style remains rooted in Seventies-flavored Occult Rock with the songs largely being driven by simple guitar/bass grooves and wafting vocal harmonies. The atmosphere and drawn-out pacing further reinforce a trancelike mood that is relaxing, yet esoteric. Continue reading
Butterfly’s full-length debut isn’t the least bit shy about its Seventies Rock inspirations. That is made immediately apparent with the cover art contrasting Vikings and a mystical title with an innocuous band name, but the music plays out like a grab-bag of Montrose, Uriah Heep, and Budgie among others. Its free-spirited attitude is comparable to their contemporaries in Freeways and one can occasionally detect hints of otherworldly haziness in line with Tanith and Brimstone Coven.Continue reading
Giving me a copy of Brimstone Coven’s Black Magic (Metal Blade) is liking giving an alcoholic a free handle. I was in. Let’s cut through the bull, I was digging this album within the first few seconds of listen. It’s got that spooky, fuzzy sound that turns me into a giddy child.
‘Black Magic’ and its bass line get things started on a groovy note, a throw back to the jams of the 60s and 70s when everything seemed to be enveloped in a haze and movement was just a touch slower. I keep playing this song over and over again and just can’t get enough of Andrew D’cagna’s bass playing. Give me, please. Don’t be surprised if you come across me dancing to this in the woods with some friends from beyond the veil.
Songs like ‘Slow Death’ make KISS to mind. They’re higher energy with a little less fuzz and prevent the album from getting monotonous. You also have that classic 70s guitar riffs and even John Williams’ vocals are similar to a slightly more subdued Starchild. It’s like a five minute trip back in time.
The second half of the album or so steers the listener away from the light and back on the road towards Spookyville with ‘The Seers’ and ‘The Plague’. The solo about three minutes in on ‘The Plague’ is spectacular and I am mildly in love with it despite my usual fascination with the bass side of things.
I’m calling it now; Black Magic will be one of my favorite albums of 2016. Give it a listen and discover something beautiful.
7.5/10
ALEIDA LA LLAVE
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Photo Credit: Ray Ahners
Oakland eclectic doom rockers Secrets of the Sky will be supporting Anaal Nathrakh on their forthcoming North American tour with Incite as support. Their Metal Blade debut Pathway will be released May 19, 2015. Stream the music video for “Three Swords” below.
SECRETS OF THE SKY w/ Anaal Nathrakh, Incite:
May 11: Starlite – Sacramento, CA
May 12: Complex – Los Angeles, CA
May 13: Backstage Bar – Las Vegas, NV
May 14: Club X – Salt Lake City, UT
May 15: Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO
May 16: Riot Room – Kansas City, MO
May 17: Live Wire Lounge – Chicago, IL
May 18: Empire Concert Club – Akron, OH
May 19: TBA – Rochester, NY (*SECRETS OF THE SKY only)
May 20: Sammy’s Patio – Revere Beach, MA (*SECRETS OF THE SKY only)
May 21: St. Vitus – Brooklyn, NY
May 22: Championship’s – Trenton, NJ
End Tour
May 23: Goodfellas – McMechen, WV (w/ Brimstone Coven)
May 24: TBA – Charlotte, NC
May 25: TBA – Atlanta, GA
May 27: TBA – Little Rock, AR
May 29: TBA – Santa Fe, NM
May 30: Tempe Tavern – Phoenix, AZ
Jun 06: Golden Bull – Oakland, CA
w/ North:
Jun 12: The Complex – Glendale, CA
Jun 13: Caravan – San Jose, CA (w/ Cold Blue Mountain)
Jun 14: 1078 Gallery – Chico, CA (w/ Cold Blue Mountain)
Jun 15: The Wandering Goat – Eugene, OR (w/ Cold Blue Mountain)
Jun 16: Rotture – Portland, OR (w/ Cold Blue Mountain)
Jun 17: Black Lodge – Bremerton, WA
Jun 18: The Pin – Spokane, WA
Jun 19: The Railyard – Billings, MT
Jun 20: Foot Foot Fest – Fort Collins, CO (w/ Reproacher)
Jun 21: 7th Circle Collective – Denver, CO
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