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Released on March 4, 2016 via Temple of Torturous
It’s not showbiz form to open with a gag, but indulge me. Bands press releases are a frequent source of mirth and the one for North Carolina-based outfit Soon doesn’t disappoint, setting me up for the inevitable pun. The missive attached to their soon-to-be-released debut via Temple of Torturous informs us that they are operating within two growing trends – folk and atmospheric metal. So that answers the question ‘’How now is Soon?’’ Okay, I’ll move on…
Well, I have to admit, that despite the hyperbole Soon do make music that is indeed folky and atmospheric, whilst still just about sitting within the doom metal genre. Key to the band’s sound and approach is the fact that singer/guitarist Stuart McLamb and drummer Thomas Simpson are members of indie rockers The Love Language, who have hooked up with Rob Walsh (bass) of psych-stoner trio Bitter Resolve and Mark Connor (guitars) of blackened metallers Grohg.
What these guys have come up with is a very palatable mix of plaintive, soulful melody, strong commercial hooks and pounding, progressive metal.
Soon spend the first half of Vol. 1 setting out their stall and proving their hard rock chops with a series of songs dominated by choruses with punishing riffs and verses with clean, soaring and sorrowful vocals. There’s a touch of Soundgarden in the chest-baring swagger of opener ‘We Are On Your Side’, and the formula really isn’t much improved or messed with on the next few numbers, although ‘Gold Soul’ is more akin to the arty, gothic stylings of early Arcade Fire or even Interpol than any standard doom metal band.
It’s on the last three numbers where things get more experimental and expansive, and it’s here that the band show the greatest promise. ‘Mauveine’ is a string-lead, largely acoustic number with a mournful air, which despite never really packing the emotional punch it seeks has a nagging melody which stays with you. That leads into the standout track, ‘Datura Stramonium’. Named after a plant that produces a powerful psychedelic, it’s probably no surprise that it’s a psych rock epic, with languid vocals over a driving rhythm powering towards an almost sludge metal crescendo near the end of it’s seven and a half minutes. It is easily the most dynamic song on the album and is shaping up to be one of my tracks of the year.
Not content with that slight left turn, the band then produce, as a finale, ‘Rise’, a subterranean meditation, heavy on the bass distortion and flange, which veers into proper doom metal, by way of throat singing and Gregorian chants! It is decidedly odd and definitely one for the doom purists. Respect is due to the band for being unafraid to get weird, considering how easy the band find producing commercial hard rock with memorable tunes.
A fine debut.
