LP Review: Shepherd / Death By Fungi Split

At the beginning of 2015, we were introduced to a sludge/doom band from Bengaluru, India, with their debut full-length record Stereolithic Riffalocalypse, and it blew us away (review here), so it was sad that we recently heard that Shepherd have decided to call it a day. However, before they leave us for good, they've have released a split record with fellow Indian band Death By Fungi, who onslaught us with a hardcore edge, and it's a nice stamp in the face to remember the band by.

Perhaps it's because they're sharing a record with a hardcore band, or it was a direction that the band were heading down before they called it a day, but Shepherd have lost some of their doomier aspects (just some though) and gone for full on sludge meets hardcore, with elements of fuzzy djent in there too (you remember djent? That musical genre that lasted the summer of 2009?), and it's a sound that's exciting to behold. The record opens with five tracks from Shepherd, with 'Agents of Nihil' setting the tone with a bleak and frightening monologue from the climax of the film The Exorcist 3, before the chaotic sludge explosion assaults you, while their almost trademark chugging bass heavy riffs drive the spine of the song forward, a sound which all us doom/sludge heads will cling to. The vocals mix with light and darker growls, while they even find time to shred while the drums go off like a pneumatic drill. Shepherd, haven't lost their sound, so much as shoved a firecracker up its arse and honed the results. Our highlight of the entire record is 'Hope Comes Gnawing' with an almost funky sludge bassline continues throughout, both exciting and frightening in the same breath. 'Fungalord' and 'Weed Dealer' (Shepherd have always been a band who like to have fun with their song titles, just see 'Turdspeak' or 'Black Cock of Armageddon') are tracks which are both excellent break-neck speed sludge tracks with elements of stoner added in for, well, why the hell not? You can never really relax with these guys as they can change time signatures and pull out devilish riffs from out of nowhere. We're going to miss this band.

While the hardcore genre may not be something with which you guys out there are necessarily drawn to straight away (this being a site for the best stoner/doom/sludge/psych etc), Death By Fungi are not a band that you should ignore. While many of the trademark hardcore elements are there with constant snare beats, breakneck speed playing, high velocity shouting vocals, there are definite elements of something just that bit heavier with this band, just take the riffs with 'Edgelord Breakdown' melting your face with it's furious assault throughout and the anger of the vocals screaming "You've failed me so many times!", they take the elements of sludge which Shepherd bring to the table and put their own spin on it, and it becomes an invigorating and refreshing listen. 'Dead Soil' morphs into a sound which is like doom on acid, with a fluctuating heart rate that'll kill you with a smile on your face.

Even though Shepherd have sped up their sonic game, they're still the slower, sludgier of the two bands here, and the compliment each other well. If this indeed does prove to be Shepherd's final opus (bands do get back together after all) then it's a mighty fine closing on a short, but heavy-as-fuck career, one which you're a fool to have missed so far (but thanks for introducing us to Death By Fungi on your way out). Get this record now and give your ears a good kicking!

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Song of the Day-Bevar Sea-"Where There's Smoke (There is a Pyre)"

"Where There's Smoke (There is a Pyre)" is taken off of the upcoming sophomore release "Invoke the Bizarre" due out September 25, 2015. This song is a testament in taking on the challenge of the sophomore slump. While still having doomy bits here and there, the song sees a more mature side of the band with well-executed song structure and melody without sacrificing the heavy. For more information, please check out the following links: Facebook | Bandcamp

LP Review: 'Stereolithic Riffalocalypse' by Shepherd

Heavy thick slabs of doom-laden riffs, primal suffocated vocals, and the most metal of metal song titles are what Bangalore, India, band Shepherd are offering in droves on their debut record Stereolithic Riffalocalypse, with one catch; once you’re drawn in, you’re stuck there forever.

The three masked men of the doom-grunge-stoner apocalypse (Namit, Abhishek, Deepak) have crafted a record which effortlessly flickers through elements of heavy fuzzed over doom, slowly dragging your corpse through the thick swampy waters of a desolate night, meteoric-sized stoner riffs that make you want to invert your face, and grunge elements akin to The Melvins being raised on Soundgarden’s teats. Opening with the darkly heavy  ‘Snake Pit’, the trio rive in a sea of ethereal despair singing “Slow unease sinks into the body of frozen blood and grinding bones”, “I’m hidden in the pit, I’m hidden in the pit of spite.” Holy hell are the riffs heavy as the song builds to its demonic climax.

The band like to have fun with their song titles, aside from the mightier-than-thou record title, songs such as ‘Turdspeak’ and ‘Black Cock of Armageddon’ can on the surface make the guys look like a comedy band, but in the case of Shepherd, it’s a band not just blessed with a sense of humour, but their tongue-in-cheek titles propel the band onto a layer of music that many other doom orientated bands are not able to reach with at times alienating attitudes to music, thinking themselves as demonic spawn; Shepherd want you to know that they are all about the music, letting everyone in to simply rock/doom/grunge out with them. In particular, ‘Black Cock of Armageddon’ has guitar shredding to match the earliest of Thrash metal, heavy doom yells for lovers of the riff, and spiteful, devastating lyrics which could be used as the last words spoken to your nemesis before the boot of Shepherd stomps on their face, forever.

Stereolithic Riffalocalypse is dark without being alienating, it explores different styles without disrespecting any, it’s heavy without forgetting its structure and flow, but above all, it is a truly awesome record, for lovers of everything that is HEAVY!

(on a side note, you have to admire that artwork, designed by Dangercat the band wanted it to "look like an ancient massive guitar amp kinda like the monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey", and you have to say it is spot on, and perfectly captures the sound of Shepherd!)

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Zac's "Double Dose": Bevar Sea / The Wans

 

Bevar Sea: Bevar Sea

Bangalore, India based quintet Bevar Sea take a no bullshit approach to their classic 70's era inspired stoner-doom-blues. The sound oozes riffs that can only be the genius of a Sabbath love child. There literally is something here for every Heavy Planet reader... you want fuzz? Bevar Sea got some fuzzy riffs. You want soaring and melodic solos? Bevar Sea produce them in abundance. You want songs, no matter the run-time, that just need replayed? Bevar Sea's classic rock foundation keep things catchy (even with each track running over the seven minute mark). The throaty and abrasive vocals accentuate and compliment that 70's doom vibe of the record and add to the overall organic nature of this self-titled effort. There's no auto-tune here folks. Upon first rotation listeners will notice Bevar Sea's influences are blatantly worn on their sleeve. Standing in the shadows, behind Ganesh and company, are Sabbath and Dio... hands on the boys shoulders with a sly grin and nod of approval. The second track Abishtu truly stands out and has become my favorite song. The track has a quiet plucked intro that could have very well found itself on a Pelican record and abruptly slams into a heavily distorted Iommi chord and note structure. Then comes the completely righteous solo, how can this song not be a crowd pleaser? Check it out below with the excellent guitar play-through video... ohh, and if for some reason this doesn't sale you on Bevar Sea, then that fact they have patches should win you over. C'mon you know that old battle vest of yours could use a little updatin'! Get some at bandcamp... LIKE NOW!

 

Members: 

Avinash Ramchander - Bass 

Deepak Raghu - Drums // Designs 

Ganesh Krishnaswamy - Vocals // Lyrics 

Rahul Chacko - Guitars // Art 

Srikanth Panaman - Guitars // Songs

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The Wans: The Wans EP 

It's not easy deciding to write an opinion on a band who immediately became a Heavy Planet darling. I had my work cut out for me knowing I write along side some exceptionally talented wordsmiths, whom were all ready to jump on this promo for The Wans. So without further ado lets get to the band, a Nashville, Tennessee based trio of rockers, and their music, which is heavily focused on radiating the very soul of rock 'n roll across the decades and pin-pointing it to this very moment. The Wans boast a wide range of influences that come together in all its grunge-hybrid glory on this six song, self titled EP. Most notably is the familiar 90's grunge sound, although The Wans take the normally somber and serious lyrical passages and make them "feel good". I guess what I mean is when listening to early 90's rock of the grunge variety there is a serious and emotional tone throughout the music. What The Wans have done is used that familar instrumental appeal and added "feel good" lyrics... mostly about partying, which is what we all need. They have also added plenty of chances for new listeners to shout along with "Hey!'s", "Oh, oh, ohh!'s", and "Yeah!'s" through this record. And while we're singing along lets direct our attention to the vocals here. I'm not exactly sure who's leading this poetic parade but damn does he have some potency behind those pipes. When the notes get high I'm getting a serious Rival Sons / Jay Buchanan impression, which in turn calls back to early heavy blues rock front-men of the 70's and 80's. That being said the instruments are no slouch either. Each instrument seems to have a gravitation pull on one another making for a smooth band chemistry. The guitars have a tinge of that southern tone and have just enough feedback to allow me to call it stoner rock. The EP is just a teaser of what The Wans are capable of, running off at mere twenty six minutes. Right smack dab in the middle is where I found a diamond, and its name is Want You. A subtle intro compliments the bass heavy blues gallop that carries The Wans through this four and a half minute master-piece of groovy lyrics and guitar wwwrrulll. Check it out below and stay peeled for a full length, I sure as hell will be.

Members: 

Mark Petaccia - Vocals // Drums 

Noah Denney - Vocals // Bass 

Simon Kerr - Vocals // Guitar

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