Shepherd--The Coldest Day
Exile On Mainstream 2004
The shelf life of a typical doom metal band is extremely short. A lot of this has to do with lack of support and exposure--a general inability to thrive and sustain. So, it's best for bands in this field to get their licks in when the opportunities present themselves. Shepherd have done just that, delivering a knockout blow of slow and low on their newest offering The Coldest Day.
Musically, Shepherd play a brand of doom rock most akin to 70's-era Pentagram and classic Blue Cheer, only with a modernized sense of firepower. Vocalist Andreas Kohl has a delivery somewhat similar to Cathedral's Lee Dorrian, sure to connect instantly with hardcore doom n' groovers. The Coldest Day even throws a pinch of sludge into the mix, though its presence is only readily apparent near album's end. Regardless, this mostly traditional take on doom metal is extremely well executed, coming off much fresher than many of the band's peers.
Trad doom done right succeeds mainly on strength of riff and voice, The Coldest Day being no exception. "Saturday" proves the most vintage in feel here, awash in blatant Sabbath-isms. That said, "Thursday" sees Shepherd at their absolute best, harmony background vocals and guitar blasts carrying this one to a worthy level of originality. At a whalloping thirteen and a half minutes, "Doomsday" closes things on a Grief worshiping note, this noisy de-tuned sludge dirge coming off as the omega equivalent to Motley Crue's "In The Beginning" Shout At The Devil intro.
Unfortunately, for whatever reason, The Coldest Day looks to be Shepherd's last album--the band have split since its release. That's a shame for doom metal fiends everywhere, because this is top shelf stuff all the way. Give this much to the guys--they definitely picked a flattering way to go. As superb as this disc is, look for Shepherd to be mythologized into the highest ranks of the doom metal pantheon throughout the years to come.
Score this CD directly from EXILE ON MAINSTREAM
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