Clouds Taste Satanic - Your Doom Has Come album review

Clouds Taste Satanic - Your Doom Has Come

We've been told never to judge a book by its cover since we were children. But, with album art like that, how can one not insinuate that Brooklyn, NY based doom-metal band Clouds Taste Satanic's Your Doom Has Come isn't going to be anything less than spec-fucking-tacular? Let's all be real here, you first see this album cover and expect it to be a great fucking album; I know I sure did the moment I saw it on Bandcamp. And, even more so as I ripped open the packaging of the vinyl the band sent to me last week. And, allow me to inform you with the utmost confidence that your implication of greatness would be right on the money.

Your Doom Has Come released on September 1st 2015 and follows up their lengthy two-track 2014 debut, To Sleep Beyond the Earth. It features six instrumental tracks that incorporate fuzzy, sludgy filled guitar riffs, bass lines that make you groove and drumming that pummels your eardrums into oblivion. This quartet's approach on the genre is one for the record books, setting the bar well out of reach of imitators. A thunderous album that rears its head at its listeners, forcing multiple spins in order to fully comprehend the silent story taking place within its grooves.

Clouds Taste Satanic immediately toss you to the demons with the opening chord to the first track, "Ten Kings," an eight-and-a-half minute expedition that traverses the nine planes of Hell. Merging hazy guitar tones with some mild-mannered, thunderous drumming, "Ten Kings" is all one can ask for in a Doom Metal track. The ambient, almost atmospheric lead guitar places you in a state of hypnosis, allowing your body to sway and move with every beat. An amazing opener, it puts you in the mood for how the rest of the album is going to unfold within your ears.

Your Doom Has Come is a fantastic record for those interested in exploring a genre where vocals and lyrics seem to reign supreme. Considering the fact that it is entirely instrumental, you need to piece together the story in your own words and imagination. Clouds Taste Satanic have done an exceptional job laying the groundwork for their extremely promising musical future with this album. Don't allow the lack of lyrics to hinder your enjoyment of what is an extraordinarily captivating musical venture. Imagination is needed for this album, close your eyes and allow Clouds Taste Satanic to overtake your mind's eye, spitting you deep into a world where angels battle demons, countries inflict war upon each other, or Autobots battle Decepticons.

With Your Doom Has Come, the story is entirely up to you. This album just provides a captivating soundtrack for the backdrop.

Clouds Taste Satanic have been booked on the first annual Doomed & Stoned Festival occurring November 18th & 19th at the 5th Quarter Lounge in Indianapolis, IN.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CloudsTasteSatanic/
Bandcamp: https://cloudstastesatanic.bandcamp.com/

The End of Agalloch?

Agalloch is the reason I fell in love with the ambient side of Black Metal. Sure, there's bands like Wolves in the Throne Room (Whom, I also adore. Please don't split up and allow me to see you live). But, Agalloch brought a sense of mixed serenity and sadness to the genre that many other bands just can't replicate. That's why their kind of melancholic euphoria was an addiction for me. 

So, you wouldn't be surprised to hear me say that a post to their Facebook page today made me quite upset:

John Haughm parted ways with the band? Or, vice versa? What does this mean? Is this he end of the 20-year old band from Portland, OR? The feeling of losing a best friend suddenly rushed over me like a speeding wave of emotions. I've missed their tours through New York in the recent years; I saw them play for the first time in Seattle last June, thinking to myself "man, I can't wait for this band to come through so I can see them again." What if that next concert never comes along?

For now, there is hope. Two hours later, another post on their official Facebook page appeared. This time signed by Haughm himself:

Hope... It is all we have in a world where Agalloch may no longer exist as a band, but a memory of a friend from so many years ago.

The Order of Israfel Release Track Off Upcoming Album "Red Robes."

The Order of Israfel 

The Order of Israfel, one of Sweden's most exquisite doom metal bands, have released a lyric video for a track off their upcoming album Red Robes; the album is set to release May 27th via Napalm Records.

Swords to the Sky can be heard below, courtesy of Metal Underground. Influenced by early bands such as Pentagram, Cathedral and Witchcraft, The Order of Israfel incorporates their unique style whilst staying true to the genre. The end result is a hard-hitting, monumental recording that accelerates doom metaly goodness into your ears on all cylinders.

Pre-orders can be purchased here through Napalm Records

Dopethrone/Fister - The Last Thing You'll Ever Hear -- Split

Dopethrone/Fister - The Last Thing You'll Ever Hear

Dopethrone and Fister have released a split album today, featuring one track from each band respectively. "The Last Thing You'll Ever Hear" can be heard below via Bandcamp or you can head to either band's Bandcamp page to check it out!



Dopethrone, a Blackened/Sludge band from Montréal, Québec, Canada, features Vincent Houde on Guitars/Vocals, Vyk on bass and Big Borman on Drums. Their track, Host, delivers a full-frontal assault of sludgy riffs determined to make your sub-woofer work overtime whilst Houde dispatches a vocal depth that cultivates an audible malevolence. Host, the bands first release since their LP "HOCHELAGA" dropped in April 2015, embarks on a muddy, gritty musical journey that is sure to napalm your eardrums into a concoction of liquefied ear gunk.

Fister's track, The Failure, is a part of a trio of split tracks that the St. Louis, MO blackened/doom band has released within the last two months. The Failure's opening riff seduces you into a feeling  sinister gloom, metamorphosing into a coarse, abrasive track determined to melt your fucking face off. Marcus Newstead, the band's guitarist and vocalist, inflicts chilling vocals upon you that puncture to your core.

"The Last Thing You'll Ever Hear" can be heard below. Dopethrone will be performing Thursday, May 26th, 2016 at Rams Head during Maryland Deathfest. Fister has stated on a Facebook post that more split albums will be coming out in the foreseeable future and that an LP is in the works for next year.



Written by Jesse Huminski