(c) Cosmic Reaper
Heavy Psych Sounds not only stands for riff-heavy innovation, but also for a split series that regularly brings old and new heroes together. the „Doom Sessions Vol. 7“ strive for opposites with a common basis. Stand on one side End timefor which it’s all regarding distortion and, well, musical apocalypse, and on the other the psychedelic yet fart-dry Cosmic Reaper, who only put their sci-fi inspired sound on record two years ago. As always, both bands present all-new, previously unreleased material.
Side A is two thunderous, broken tracks from Endtime that defy any Doom conventions with growing enthusiasm. “Tunnel Of Life” opens the release with almost spiritual tones, but sinks increasingly into a sea of loops, accompanied by increasing alienation and painful screams that carry the track towards herbaceous-electronic twitching. “Beyond The Black Void” lives up to its name, getting louder and more surly before a noise break unpacks endless interference waves right in the middle. The song cuts out completely and is shot up by fucked up effects until the next blast wave follows.
In comparison, Cosmic Reaper seem downright classic and conventional. “Sundowner” opens with a selected, riff-heavy leisurely pace, seems really powerful and, like the last regular album, moves somewhere between rock and metal with an audible 70s touch. The sinister “Dead And Loving It” pulls up massive, almost impenetrable walls, lets the mood boil over and defines itself through pressure. In comparison, the overly long “King Of Kings” is almost playful and yet cerebral, taking up the blanks as the perfect place for expansive, playful solos.
All in all, the B-side is worlds more accessible, but that really isn’t a problem. Cosmic Reaper continue to move in quite classic Doom realms, very close to the proto sound, but also take time for playful, complex approaches. These counter Endtime with endless distortion, with krautrock undertones, with noise and with pure malice. “Doom Sessions Vol. 7” might hardly have chosen more different bands and is therefore certainly one of the most difficult releases in this series, but also one of the most interesting – Doom for advanced users that breaks boundaries with charm and wit.
Rating: 8/10
Available from: 01/20/2023
Available through: Heavy Psych Sounds Records (Cargo Records)
Endtime: www.facebook.com/Endtimedoom
Cosmic Reaper: www.facebook.com/cosmicreapernc
Category: Magazin, Reviews