EP Review: False Gods – The Serpent and the Ladder (Self Released)

When trapped in a fever dream, the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur. That which you previously only saw in stories manifests before your eyes, and creatures from the back of your mind come out to hunt. New York’s False Gods provide the appropriately doom-laden soundtrack to this nightmare with their two-track The Serpent and The Ladder, the third release since forming in 2015.

Leaving behind the caveman stomp of Reports From Oblivion, this concept EP showcases an altogether evolved band. The two songs push out in all directions; simultaneously more psychedelic in the guitar work, and yet reaching murkier depths in the rumbling low-end. The band proudly proclaim it as “their darkest, their heaviest, most experimental and at times most melodic” yet.

The Serpent and the Ladder is out on April 19th 2019.

We’re big fans of False Gods. You can read our review of their previous release, Reports from Oblivion here and read our interview with them here.

It’s quite amazing just how dark False Gods’ short EP is. Rooted in doom, it’s an incredibly moody listen with the added bonus of having some enlightening rhythm and desperate sounding vocals. The first track, The Ladder takes us through an eerie sounding landscape with little in the way of hope while The Serpent delights in showing us all kinds of horror.

The latter of the two is the better track thanks to a bit more intensity. The guitars delving deep into the pit for their sounds and the vocals alternating between gruffness and high-screeching. The tinge of psychedelic echoes in the latter half gives it extra edge and the increase in heaviness at the end really impresses.

False Gods – The Serpent and the Ladder Full Track Listing:

1. The Ladder
2. The Serpent

The EP can be ordered via Bandcamp here. More information about False Gods can be found on their Facebook Page and Instagram.