We’ve hit a right golden little patch for 2 piece instrumental doom bands. Sardonis absolutely destroyed us with their second album last year and this year we’ve been assaulted by fantastic offerings from Zolle and Holly Hunt. So as if we haven’t already been spoilt enough, here we have The Sacred Above, The Sacred Below from Michigan’s Beast in the Field. I stumbled upon their album World Ending a couple of years ago and was blown away but the riffs but sadly the album sounded like it was done on a budget of £21.76 so was a little tinny and unpolished. However, this time round they have put that right and then some, yay! It sounds fantastic and what a fierce little album these two hairy blokes have unleashed.
It launches with a calm little introductory 30 second track known as ‘Great Watcher of the Sky’, and by the time we’re flying into ‘Hollow Horn’ I am very appreciative of the soothing intro as it’s an out and out beast. It’s fucking huge, like a runaway diesel train destroying a stunning national park the size of Wales with various herds of animals screaming and running for their lives.. How the hell are a mere 2 men making this racket? Best not to ask any questions and just keep bobbing your head with a screwed up face because it’s impossible not to. They are hitting riff combos which are off the scale… think maybe a faster Bongripper with a speedy rocknroll edge. Does that sound awesome to you? Course it fucking does. By the time you hit the 4 minute 30 mark you might find yourself on your roof naked and crying, hoping someone will come and rescue you from the ridiculous riffery that’s flying at you from all directions.
I could pretty much end the review there as it sums up the whole album, 2 guys just playing nasty doom riff combos until your brain melts. What this album lacks in variety it makes up for in FUCKING AMAZING. If you have managed to hold onto this beast by the time ‘Wakan Tanka’ sets in you realise you are dealing with a ferocious beast from another planet and survival is unlikely. Catchy riffs delivered with next level brutality.
These guys are on top form and are very high in my list for 2013, a year I reckon has been the best for music ever. If you don’t take the following advice I don’t want to be friends with you… buy a copy, grab a beer, press play, turn it up, bob your head and pump your wanting fists. Yes!!!
