Album Review: Bull Elephant – Bull Elephant (Eat Lead and Die Music)

Bull Elephant is the story of a slain African elephant that occultist Ahnenerbe SS attempted to bring back from the dead as a new form of battle asset. However, before re-animation could be completed it was intercepted by a mysterious witch-shaman, pursuing her own agenda and redirecting the undead creature’s purpose.

Think of the background concept as Raiders of the Lost Ark set to a progressive doom soundtrack where Judeo-Christian mythology is replaced by the even more sinister universe hinted at in the writings of H. P. Lovecraft…. with Nazi assault wolves.

Bull Elephant (the band) are an anonymous collective and this, their self titled debut will be released on November 29th 2019 via Eat Lead and Die Records.

It’s certainly an interesting concept that is behind the debut of Bull Elephant here. Happily though, that inspiration has birthed a pretty spectacular record. A record that has a lot to say about what can be done to take doom to a different & more unique level.

The self titled/album title track opens the story up with a bang. A really heavy bang that suggest we’re in for a blackened style of doom. Hold up though, as after only 30-odd seconds it reveals a thoughtful melodious edge where the vocals are more discernible yet strained. Pushing and pulling the tempo back and forth, it’s part hauntingly sweet and part intense heaviness. Combined, it results in a wonderful and memorable opener.

A progressive touch to Bull Elephant’s sound really comes to fruition on the challenging Construct of Chaos whereas Communion affirms the mysterious band’s abilities to flow from the deepest and darkest of blackened doom to the most enlightening of powerful melodious moments. The vocals are at their most desperate sounding here, clinging on to the mind with all the urgency of a dying victim.

If you’re not sold on the quality so far, chances are you’re unlikely to be convinced by what remains. Even though the short Corrupted Truth is nothing but rage covered in a slightly fuzzy layer. Then we have Reflections, a wolf in sheep’s clothing as the memorable rhythm hides a beast with sharpened teeth ready to tear a chunk of flesh out.

The addictive listening experience is completed by two final tracks that deliver a world of wonder in Bull Elephant’s unique way. Both Winterfist and Dread Reactor delving deeply into the band’s pocket of tricks to deliver a momentous final double header. Wonderful? It doesn’t do it justice.

Bull Elephant – Bull Elephant Full Track Listing:

1. Bull Elephant
2. Construct of Chaos
3. Communion
4. Corrupted Truth
5. Reflections
6. Winterfist
7. Dread Reactor

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