Burning The Cairns...

The Mound Builders / Pale Horseman - Split (2016)

Coming together to release this split through Failure Records & Tapes, The Mound Builders and Pale Horseman have joined their distinctive sounds for two tracks each of doom-laden tunes to throw a spanner in the works of the usual Record Store Day pop appeal fare.
The Mound Builders take the A-side, dedicated to the memory of former band-mate Nate Malher, and start things off with the slow-mounting intensity of "Hashashin", growing layers of instrumentation and pedal effects before erupting into full-bodied slams of chords, beats, and vocals loaded with anger.  Classic-sounding riffs pull things along with serrated hooks, some special studio-work adds touches of mystery, and a raging crescendo cranks into increased bass presence before drifting away.  "Black Drink Ritual" picks up from there, holding the bass out a bit more in the mix, but picking up tempo for intermittent headbang speeds and a smasher of a finish.
Over on Pale Horseman's side, "Ghosts of the Gallows" lumbers into action on the strength of a heavy lead riff, twisted and expanded through the song at comparatively slower speed, though they make up for that by bringing a stormy presence.  The group's style is augmented by Dennis Pleckham's work at the mixing-board, bringing some bonus value to careful listeners who want to directly compare his style to that of Dan Precision's on the A-side.  After the thick grooves of PH's first track are concluded, "Long Way Down" brings up the heat with some sludgier style, complemented by increased gnarl and snarl in the vocals and tighter squeeze on the strings.
Across the four tracks, there's a nice spread of dirty-sounding doom, with very little tongue-in-cheek attitude to make these pills easier to swallow.  This is a set of tunes intended for days when you're feeling like shit, and want to hear something to let you know there's things to do with that feeling beyond wallowing in it.  Get in touch with your local record store and tell them to stock some copies for RSD, pop it on when the mood is right, and soak up some bad vibes.
~ Gabriel

For Fans Of;    Dead Existence, R.O.L.F., Shrine of the Serpent, The Wounded Kings, Zeppheroin

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Drained To Death...

Pale Horseman - Mourn The Black Lotus (2014)

Mourn The Black Lotus opens quietly, in a way that winkingly lays the foundation for Pale Horseman's pressurized ear assaults yet to come. It's not a façade that lasts long, though, with “Evidence of a Severe Stoning” quickly switching into the doom-death mode they use for the bulk of the music included. Slow-crush riffs and drums from the deep provide a sense of subterranean styling, while the vocals are forceful enough to fit the lyrics of soulless creatures and acts of violence.

“Conquistador” and “Grudgulence” provide a better sense of how the band can just wash away into the waves of a doom groove, with a few of those riffs that just immediately sound familiar, and while the band's style of attack changes up considerably from track to track, they take some appreciable care in making sure that the songs link well from one to the next, giving the whole thing a nice management of momentum which can be a tricky matter when dealing with doom-drenched slow-and-low tempos of this caliber.

As specialists in death-doom, though, Pale Horseman also have some quick and thrashy guitar shreds up their sleeves, from which they can neatly slide into the slower stuff and right back out again without a bump.   They put it to some good effect, allowing the lyrics and their delivery some more convincing power with the violent stuff, but their ear for when it's appropriate is what really gets it rolling.   And that command of their speed is important, because the back half of the album is a hefty one that finds them shifting more into sludge territory, with over 34 minutes of the album packed into the last three songs.  These include a remix by Justin Broadrick (of Godflesh and Jesu) and the grueling forced march of “Clairvoyant”, which could be a collaboration with Cough for all the instrumental menace it wields.

Mourn The Black Lotus is a very strong debut, with plenty of promise for the band's songs to come, and enough buried detail to reward multiple listenings for interested ears.  I wouldn't be surprised if this release picks up some steam and ends up on a large chunk of end-of-year lists, so go ahead, get a jump on things, and educate yourself on this album.  They'll also be playing a show in Chicago on August 1st, so don't let that opportunity slip by you if you're in the area.

~ Gabriel

For Fans Of; Heavydeath, Demon Head, Tons, Coffins, Fudge Tunnel

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Pale Horseman - Evidence Of A Severe Stoning (320 kbps)

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