Label: Cargo Records
Release Date: 23rd February 2015
Genre: Doom/Stoner rock
Line up:
Luke Alleeson (Vocals and guitar)
Rick Spooner (Guitar)
Rob Taylor (Bass)
Kieran Smith (Drums)
Track Listing:
- Bench
- Bleed That Stone
- You Know
- Weather the Storm
- From the Top
- All for None
- Just a Little
- Words
- A New Leaf
Profane and the Sacred are resolutely in the vein of Down, Corrosion of Conformity, Karma to Burn etc. They have that whole, Deep South USA metal swagger going for them which is surprizing as they come from London.
This record starts really quiet with BENCH with an acoustic feel that lulls you into a false sense of security. Then, just when you’re feeling relaxed and suitably chilled out. There’s a familiar wail of banshee like guitar feedback and the track springs to life. With a riff so full of sludge that it seems to ooze from the speakers to envelope you in a warm gooey mess. The 9 minute, prog laden, assault on the senses that is the opening track sets you up perfectly for what is to follow.
The warm gooey substance that is the wall of sludge doesn’t let up. Bleed That Stone and You Know (tracks 2 and 3 respectively) both come in with detuned riffs and sound as if they were recorded live (which is a master stroke in this land of pro-tools). In point of fact the whole record sounds as if it was recorded live.
Luke Allesons vocal sound is as if Phil Anselmo (Down), Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) & Ryan McCombs (SoIL) had produced a love child. The rhythm section of Rob Taylor (bass) and Kieran Smith (Drums) are fabulous and have such a swing about them that a baseball slugger would be proud of.
The stand out track has to be the single From the Top which showcases Profane and the Sacred perfectly. Showing exactly what is in this bands armoury and what they can pack in to a 5 minute slice of, what is essentially, radio friendly material.
On the whole the album is a really good debut offering and shows there is room for this band to grow .They may not breaking any new ground but they are steeped in nostalgia and feel very familiar which isn’t a bad thing.
It’s definitely a considered purchase.
Written by MGM
Ratings: MGM 6/10
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