Album Review: Slomatics – Canyons (Black Bow Records)

On June 14th 2019 critically acclaimed Irish doom band Slomatics will unleash Canyons via Black Bow Records. The album will be released on limited vinyl, cassette, CD and digital.

The band commented:

“We’re thrilled to release our new album ‘Canyons’ on Black Bow Records. Having completed a trilogy of albums we felt free to roam with this one, and have explored the edges of our sound more than ever before. Working with Black Bow has as always been a pleasure so we’re stoked that this album is out through such a great label.”

The slow fuzz that introduces Gears of Despair is pretty horrendous on the mind. Darkly deep and buzzing like a hive full of bees, it’s only lightened somewhat by the obscure and distant clean vocals. Even then the molasses covered pace is enough to leave a huge imprint on the soul especially as it goes on for over 9 minutes.

Somehow Slomatics take their sound to even deeper and fuzzier depths within Cosmic Guilt although it has a bit more flair to the riffs. Whereas Telemachus My Son (following the short post-like sound of Seven Echoes) has an extra level of gothic ring to it while remaining rooted in the slow march of doom.

Seemingly unsure if your bowels haven’t been shaken up enough, Slomatics add even more filthy fuzz to the their sound with Beyond the Canopy. For everyone who loves this level of doom, there will be just as many who hate it though.

Aware that they’ve laid on so much filthy darkness, Arms of the Sun is a surprisingly uplifting and sweet sounding track. A chance to relax and bask in the warmth before the clouds come back out with Mind Fortresses On Theia. So down-right addictive even if it begins to run out of stream come Organic Caverns II.

It’s a relief that it’s over and while it isn’t an album you’ll listen to over and over again, when it does come up you’ll remember just why you liked it the first time!

Slomatics – Canyon Full Track Listing:

1. Gears of Despair
2. Cosmic Guilt
3. Seven Echoes
4. Telemachus my Son
5. Beyond the Canopy
6. Arms of the Sun
7. Mind Fortresses On Theia
8. Organic Caverns II

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