Heavy Psych Doom
Magnetic Eye Records
Release Date – April 12th 2024
Line Up:
High Priestess Nighthawk – Vocals/Bass
Lord Paisley – Guitar
Baron Lycan – Drums
Tracklist:
1 – Extreme Indifference To Life
2 – Hiraeth
3 – Divine Indiscretion
4 – House Of Warship
5 – Snake Oil (And Other Remedies)
6 – In The Garden Of Heathens
7 – Jesus Wept
8 – Psychomanteum
Philadelphia’s Heavy Temple, a formidable doom trio, makes a triumphant return with a fresh collection of songs that not only exhibit a broader spectrum of influences but also maintain the relentless, fuzzed-out core that defines their signature sound.
The sonic journey begins with the colossal weight of “Extreme Indifference To Life,” unleashing an immediate onslaught of heavy distortion and laying the foundation for the laid-back yet powerful vocals of singer/bass player High Priestess Nighthawk – channeling echoes of Chris Goss from Masters Of Reality.
Transitioning seamlessly, “Hiraeth” unfolds as a steady and uncomplicated rocker, cruising along with a captivating rhythm. “Divine Indiscretion” takes a captivating turn, delving into a rolling psych riff and a consistent groove accompanied by vocals drowning in reverb. The haunting introduction of “House Of Warship” sets the stage with a chorus of pained wails before transforming into a relentless grinding stomp. This paves the way for “Snake Oil And Other Remedies,” an eight-plus-minute epic of creepy atmospheric doom, exploring various movements and captivating the listener throughout.
The instrumental interlude, “In The Garden Of Heathens,” invites a moment of respite with a low acoustic strum and a subtle background synth hum reminiscent of Pink Floyd. The segue into “Jesus Wept” is marked by Baron Lycan’s skillful drum intro, unleashing a massive stoner rocker with intense guitar lines and an audacious sonic landscape. “Psychomanteum” grants guitarist Lord Paisley a brief showcase of his fretboard finesse before launching into a full-throttle thrash/speed rock section, highlighting his remarkable dexterity and riff mastery.
In the realm of psych/stoner music, this album stands as a shining example, offering a diverse array of riffs and grooves across different movements and tempos. While its comparative merit to existing releases remains subjective, embarking on this musical journey is bound to be a rewarding experience, with disappointment seemingly an unlikely outcome.
Written by: Smudge
Ratings: 7/10
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