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Samothrace: Reverence to stone
05/11/12 || gk
Americans Samothrace first came to my attention a few years ago with their very promising doom metal debut “Life’s trade”. That album seemed to herald the arrival of a major player in the doom metal genre but Samothrace seemingly went into hibernation after that point and I didn’t hear a lot more about them. Now, four years later, the band is back with their sophomore release “Reverence to stone” and the long break may have been a good thing.
This album is basically just 2 songs clocking in at a little over 35 minutes but it is 35 minutes of high quality doom metal that progresses outward from the confines of the genre and boldly strides forward into fresher, newer territory. Opener When we emerged first appeared on the band’s 2007 demo and here it’s redone, being about 4 minutes longer and with some added nuance. The song starts slow and builds gradually as lumbering doom metal riffs sit very comfortably alongside memorable post rock melodies and the superb lead guitar playing of Brian Spinks and Renata Castagna. Spinks’ vocals are a harsh tortured rasp that works superbly as a counter point to the music and the song flows with an impressive sense of purpose. A horse of our own wastes no time at all in kicking off as a superb winding lead guitar opens proceedings before Spinks’ tortured wailing breaks through over a classic doom metal riff but again and again it’s the lead guitar parts that really make this song stand out as something a bit special. At once bluesy but metal, indulgent yet disciplined, the guitar playing never lets this 20 minute song get boring.
Samothrace has managed to build a sound that is all their own while playing in a crowded genre. “Reverence to stone” is a direct progression from “Life’s trade” with ideas being expanded upon while musical themes stay largely the same. Spinks and Castegna sound terrific right through these 2 songs but they’re ably backed up by Joe Axler on drums who provides a solid foundation and drives these songs forward and Dylan Desmond on bass often provides the glue that holds all of these elements together; particularly when the guitars go off on long and rewarding tangents. The sound on this album too deserves a mention as it is rich, warm and welcoming and pretty perfect for the music.
Samothrace has delivered one fine album here. It says something about the quality of music when a 14 minute song and a 20 minute song make up an album that still feels a bit short. “Reverence to stone” is another high quality doom offering in a year that’s seen more than its fair share already. Hopefully the band won’t take another 4 years for their next release but even if they do, “Reverence to stone” will hold us in good stead.
- Information
- Released: 2012
- Label: 20 Buck Spin
- Website: Samothrace Bandcamp
- Band
- Brian Spinks: vocals, guitars
- Renata Castegna: guitars
- Dylan Desmond: bass
- Joe Axler: drums
- Tracklist
- 01. When We Emerged
- 02. A Horse of Our Own
