EP Review: Wasteland Coven – Ruined (Self Released)

Wasteland Coven hails from Toledo, Ohio playing doom metal influenced by Candlemass, Windhand, Saint Vitus, My Dying Bride and a wide variety of dark sources.

The project was initially conceptualized in 2018 as a way to bring more touring doom metal bands to the Toledo area – by establishing a bigger doom presence in the region and serving as a relevant opening act for those artists who travelled to the city. However, the project quickly took on a life of its own as original music was written and recording plans were made.

The lineup was finalized in 2019 with Susan Mitchel on vocals and bass, Bill Anderson and Brandon Collins on guitars, and Jason Wilcox on drums.

On April 17th, the quartet released their debut EP entitled ‘Ruined’.

Eerie and haunting melody welcomes us to Midsummer Days, the dissonant guitar sound quite effective. It’s clear that Wasteland Coven are building to something with some serious impact and with an echoing bass leading the charge, they emerge with a significantly heavy doom punch. Several punches really; the ethereal and powerful vocals, the thick and greasy riffs, the crash of the drums and layered bass lines. It’s a nomadic effort that shows just what this new doom band has to offer.

Great Colossus has a massive amount of weight to it, something that is pressed down upon the brain rather than dropped. Wasteland Coven showing just how gloomy they can be while dragging the suffering out to severe lows. It’s a grand encapsulation of a modern doom band and handled so deftly that a fast-paced thrash-style segment near the end puts a big smile on the face.

It’s a faster and peppier pace that makes up the majority of Endless Nights, the rhythm a bit groovier. Although it’s all about the witchy vocals and dense riffs. Something a little different to show Wasteland Coven can vary their sound while sticking to the doom formula.

A grandiose debut EP, it’s hard to believe this is coming from a band that only finalised its line-up in 2019.

Wasteland Coven – Ruined Full Track Listing:

1. Midsummer Days
2. Great Colossus
3. Endless Nights

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube