Released by: Metal Blade Records
Release date: 29 January 2016
Genre: Occult Rock
Lineup:
“Big John” Williams – vocals
Corey Roth – guitar
Andrew D’Cagna – bass
Justin Wood – drums
Track Listing:
01. Black Magic
02. Black Unicorn
03. Beyond the Astral
04. As We Fall
05. Upon the Mountain
06. Slow Death
07. The Seers
08. The Plague
09. Forsaken
10. The Eldest Tree
I am overwhelmed (in a good way) with the amount of new releases that has spread in the first month alone. 2016 release wise is looking bright, and this goes into Brimstone Coven’s debut release under Metal Blade Records, Black Magic. These Western Virginians formed in 2011, during the age of autotune and duplicated sounds. Somehow, these Occult Rockers managed to summon tunes from the golden era of the 60s and 70s.
Musically inspired by mystical tales such as the Mothman and the unknown depths from the Appalachian mountains is what set the aesthetic for Black Magic. The band explained it best, “We strove for a sound that makes you feel like you’re wandering through a shroud of mist, unable to see your own hand in front of your face. We want you to feel equally excited and creeped out, letting your imagination run wild and get the best of you.” As a fan for horror and letting go of all sense of reality, this is what convinced me to give this album a listen.
Opening up with “Black Magic,” reminded me of The Sword’s release of 2012’s Apocryphon, incorporating a mix of Black Sabbath and Wiccan imageries such as “Cloak of Feathers.” As the track continued with its natural groove, I was hooked, and the influence of the 60s and 70s Prog, Heavy Metal and Blues fled. Lyrically creating a dark and ancient setting in “Black Unicorn” as the rich sound continues.
Once “Beyond the Astral” kicked in, I let myself loose with its funky 70s vibe. One of my favorite tracks that harshly speaks the truth, “way down below us, the world is dark and cold.” For some reason, I hear a bit of the Doors as it somehow visually brings me to 1987’s The Lost Boys. The album changes in a more Psychedelic – Pink Floyd trance in “As We Fall.” I would love to light incense and candles in my bedroom and just stare at my ceiling for hours to this tune on a snowy day.
The instrumentation continues to flow smoothly with “Upon the Mountain.” The symmetry of nature gets morphed in with transcendent instrumentals that carry towards a deeper level. Moving on a Jazzy note thanks to the groovy bass lines in “Slow Death” kept my attention as the album naturally diversifies.
As the Funk left, my favorite Black Sabbath meets Pink Floyd track, “The Seers” moves in. It is tastefully filled with echoing vocals and immaculate guitar solos. Journeying back to a 70s flick with “The Plague” to me held some romantic-esque quality take as well. Perhaps it’s the sorrowful and soothing rhythm until it fades out to darkness. This slow pace continues in the next “Forsaken.”
The final track, “The Eldest Tree,” progresses in like a haunted sunrise as it continues to let the mind explore through a captivating musical journey. A great conclusion to an excellent album clocking in a total of ten tracks inflicted with the 60s and 70s goodness.
Written by: Zenae Zukowski
Ratings: Zenae 8/10
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