EP Review: Smoulder – Dream Quest Ends (Cruz Del Sur Music)

Hot off the heels of their well-received Times of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring debut, Canadian epic doomsters Smoulder closes the first chapter of their career with the “Dream Quest Ends” EP!

You can read our review of Times of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring here.

As a way to close the chapter on the “Times of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring” cycle, Smoulder is releasing the “Dream Quest Ends” EP, which features two new songs, a cover of Manilla Road’s “Cage of Mirrors,” as well as the three cuts from their debut 2018 “The Sword Woman” demo.

It will be available on the 13th March 2020 via Cruz Del Sur Music.

A welcome addition to the Smoulder catalogue, with two new tracks this EP isn’t a ‘hardcore’ fan only a release. In fact there’s a little something for everyone really. Two grand and all encompassing doomy numbers, a trio of early tracks for those wanting to expand their Smoulder knowledge and an intriguing cover.

It’s the two new tracks that make up the first part of the EP, the first being the title track. Moody and melodic, it’s doom with a serious touch of melodrama. Whereas Warrior Witch from Hell is darker, much groovier and has got a heck of a lot more heavy depth.

Being very unfamiliar with Manilla Road, I can’t really compare the quality of their cover of Cage of Mirrors. As a track in itself though, it’s enjoyable with some weighty guitar riffs and a terrific vocal performance.

The second half of the EP are the demo tracks, a chance to go back in time to the early days of this wonderful band. They sound aged but that just adds to the charm. If you’re already a fan of Smoulder, this is a must buy but if you’re coming in new you have plenty to enjoy too.

Smoulder – Dream Quest Ends Full Track Listing:

1. Dream Quest Ends
2. Warrior Witch from Hell
3. Cage of Mirrors (Manilla Road Cover)
4. Sword Woman (Demo)
5. Voyage of the Sunchaser (Demo)
6. The Queen is Gone (Demo)

Links

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