Earlier this year, back in May, we told you about a band
from Canberra, Australia, releasing a teaser for their forthcoming debut record
through a Quick Hit. We were excited for what Witchskull had to offer, and
after finally getting to hear their debut album, we have to applaud the Aussies
for exceeding all of our expectations: The Vast Electric Dark is stunning!
The record opens with the same two tracks featured on the
beginning of their teaser record (‘The Vast Electric Dark’ and ‘Temple of Ly’s’)
showing exactly what this band is about; short groove-laden doom carved along a
classic rock mould with an ear for a riff or two. The trio play tight, blues
undertoned rock that ticks all of the right boxes. One of the main things that
will make this band stand above others is with the refreshing clean vocals of Marcus
De Pasquale. If you take a track such as ‘Raise The Dead’, where normally
darkened despair masquerades the vocals to give the song its doom edge,
Witchskull simply crank up the bass and down tune the guitars, so that Marcus’
vocals can be the shining light, the thing that highlights the darkness in the
song. Hell, you can take your pick out of any of the songs here and come out
with the same results, it makes for an exciting listen through the all too
short record.
‘World’s Away’ is a frenetic juggernaut of riffs with
vocals that can barely contain their passion, ‘Harvest Of The Druid’ is the
song Ronnie James Dio is currently wishing he made on the other side of the
grave, and ‘Cassandra’s Curse’ is a balls-to-the-wall classic blues doom rock
assault on the senses.
The Vast Electric Dark, when all is said and done, a
truly awesome record, faultless throughout, and destined to make many end of
year lists very soon!
(SITH)Trooper ROG
ReplyDeleteThis is VERY good, crushing riffs with some really tasty guitar and bass. Picture Elder without the spacey quiet parts...the only little thing is the singer tends to sing at the high end of his range a lot...however this cd melts....great stuff