V/A--Doom Capital
Crucial Blast 2004
The state of Maryland's influence on doom metal runs so deep, it has evolved into its own musical genre over time. That presence has not diminished a bit throughout the years, new important members of the downtuned fraternity emerging still today. This Doom Capital compilation stands as a monument to these riff mongers, as well as a few of their D.C. compatriots. Comprised entirely of unreleased material and featuring a nice balance between the established and the up-and-coming, this disc is both valuable primer for newbies and essential addition for diehards.
As with any comp, it's best to have some name bands to draw people in, increasing exposure for those unknown acts in the process. Doom Capital doesn't disappoint in this area. Highlights include Earthride's "Grip The Wheel," their most Motorhead inspired effort to date--and not just due to Dave Sherman's always Lemmy slanted vocal delivery. The Hidden Hand clock in with "Rebellion," Wino and crew frantic like never before, the lead guitar awash in some pretty extreme wah. You even get Internal Void dishing up something closer to doom than the blues rock on their Unearthed album from 2000 during "Black Wings Of Deceit." Still, the absolute geek out moment for all sick hardcore doomers will be the triumphant return after many years of Unorthodox on "Lifeline." This cut is saturated in authenticity, with an almost progressive approach to its execution. It's a thrill to take in and very long overdue.
This said, its amazing just how responsible the newer acts here are for some of Doom Capital's brightest moments. Black Manta deliver solid Cathedral worship on "Days Of Yore," while King Valley go for something a bit more rocked out with "$2 Brain" which is a nice approximation of the Cult. For heavy as hell doom crush look to War Injun's "Dangerous Prayer." If you want pure innovative excitement, Leviathan AD have your ticket with "Breathing Rust." Combining the ugly heaviness of Burning Witch with the indie/grunge melodicism of Seaweed, this offering may be tops of the entire collection.
Hell, this is all fanastic and if you even remotely dig this tributary of slow and low, Doom Capital will have you spazzin' out. The younger bands featured here can learn a lot from their elder statesmen who have struggled to give them models they can aspire towards. In the same breath, the comp's legends can take great pride in the fact that their influence and inspiration has helped foster such worthy new sounds. In the end, everybody wins--the listener most of all. Make this score.
Score this CD directly from CRUCIAL BLAST
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