EP Review: Goblinsmoker – A Throne in Haze, A World Ablaze (Sludgelord Records)

Goblinsmoker was started as a one-man project in Durham in late 2016. The aim, to take the bleak atmosphere of black metal and combine it with the fuzz-soaked riff worship of doom, while creating a mythology that would be fully entwined in the band’s sound, lyrical content and art.

The band focuses on telling the story of the Toad King, the discontented ruler of the goblins. Their forest home a place where goblin subjects willingly sacrifice themselves to be smoked by their King. This is a story that is being told over a trilogy of releases.

The first part of the trilogy was released on December 14th 2018 via Sludgelord Records. Called Toad King, you can read our review here.

The next part of the trilogy. ‘A Throne in Haze, A World Ablaze’ sees the Toad King and his army of goblins ride to war against his own kind, manipulated by the goblin shaman. 2020 sees Goblinsmoker team up again with Sludgelord Records for the release of ‘A Throne in Haze, A World Ablaze’. Toad King, worship him.

It’s very good to have Goblinsmoker back and even better to re-enter the world of the Toad King. A world that has no qualms with making the soundtrack as deep, dark and fuzzy as possible. After all Goblinsmoker are a maddening amalgamation of black, doom and stoner and if that terrifies then be warned, it is exactly as described.

The riffs are titanic but it’s not just the size but the speed that will leave many floored. With so much crushing force behind them, it’s downright incomprehensible. Then we have the drums which deliver a battering to match the bass, all while the vocals scream and howl with black metal ferocity. It’s a good thing A Throne in Haze, A World Ablaze is only three tracks long as the mind won’t be able to hold up to this level of heavy assault.

You’ll already know if this is something that interests you. It’s unashamedly a doom EP even with all the other elements. If the idea of being slowly crushed by Goblinsmoker’s fuzzy weight doesn’t appeal then it’s never going to be for you.

A shame to miss out though as these merchants of doom have set the EP release bar very high already.

Goblinsmoker – A Throne in Haze, A World Ablaze Full Track Listing:

1. Smoked in Darkness
2. Let Them Rot
3. The Forest Mourns

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