Boasting what may be one of the greatest stoner band names ever invented and an album cover which is just plain lugubrious and evocative of twisted dreams on a long lost Hammer Horror nightmare, Sweden's Salem's Pot play a mightily scary brand of doom which is designed to scare the living shit out of you.
Whilst Uncle Acid and his band of Deadbeats may be taking all the kudos at the moment, we should look further afield for our kicks and Salem's Pot certainly try to provide the requisite chills. On this unpronounceable (unless you're Swedish one presumes) album there are three tracks of long drawn out chaos built on riffs, riffs and synths. This is music not for the fainthearted and may provide the perfect soundtrack to a million Halloweens. This is high grade doom for those of you who want to go that little step further.
Opener 'Creep Purple' (who's title also shows a sense of humour) is the longest on offer here but by no means the centrepiece. It's 14 minutes of drawn out riffs and tormented vocals take an age to get going as the synths swirl around in some twisted cavalcade of sickening amusement. It's disconcerting and god knows what it sounds like stoned but you may need a guiding hand. It's heavy going but strangely entertaining too.
'Dr Death' is a little shorter but no less epic. In fact, this is actually heavier still if that was even possible. Not quite bordering on funereal doom, its almost funky riff is slowed down and some sweet tempo changes keep it from slipping into the doldrums. This is matched by the next track which includes some fantastic cowbells as a purely Sabbath riff takes over. Welcome to 'Nothing Hill', a song which brings to mind those old horror comics that used to be so popular to a 50's generation. It's horror rock but not camp and that's what makes it so scary.
It can all get a bit too much and you need to be brave to withstand this all in one sitting. It's not perfect by any means and could do with a slight bit of variation from the repetitive riffs. That would be unfair to the band though in a way as this sort of music is built on that maxim. It's how you deal with it that makes you stand out from the crowd. Salem's Pot may have a way to go yet but in the meantime enjoy what is the scariest release of the year so far.
