Place Of Skulls - As A Dog Returns review
| Band: | Place Of Skulls |
| Album: | As A Dog Returns |
| Style: | Doom metal |
| Release date: | November 2010 |
01. The Maker
02. Breath Of Life
03. Though He Slay Me
04. Psalms
05. Dayspring
06. Timeless Hearts
07. He's God
08. Desperation [Steppenwolf cover]
09. As A Dog Returns
Place Of Skulls proves that you don't need screaming vocals, drop D guitars or blast beats to be heavy, but on the contrary, slow, hard hitting, powerful riffs and heart felt vocals weigh you down. Their new album, As a Dog Returns, is saturated with doom and gloom mixed with optimism and faith. It is my top pick for both best Doom Metal album and best Christian Metal album for 2010!
The rather traditional approach to Doom here is actually somewhat refreshing to hear in the midst of many "extreme" Doom bands that permeate the scene. While it does have a nice old school 70's rock feel at times, this is by no means a retro album and it fits nicely among modern releases with its dash of Stoner Metal thrown in there. Mixing the hard hitting songs with the mellow ballads throughout the record creates an astonishing atmosphere that allows for high replay value. The music is so well written and tightly preformed that there is no need to be flashy as this Knoxville three-piece delivers gripping melodies and concrete solid rhythm.
Guitarist/vocalist Victor Griffin shares his love of God from start to finish with some incredibly heartfelt lyrics that at no point come off as cliche or cheesy. Tracks like "He's God" is a full blown worship song the brings me to my knees when I hear it. "The Maker," "Breath of Life," "Though He Slay Me," and "Psalm" are stalwart songs of praise that are just dripping with love and passion. The 10-minute epic centerpiece "Dayspring" is hands down of the best Doom anthem I have ever heard.
After four years, Place Of Skulls has returned with, what is arguably, their best release ever. A decade after their demo the band is undeniably tight and proficient at their craft. Four albums in the band has no problem continuing to bearing their faith to the world. Undoubtedly, As a Dog Returns is going to be on many top lists for this year. And rightfully so.
 | Written on 18.12.2010 by Dane hails from Asheville, NC which is Beer City, USA. When he is not drinking various craft and micro brews, Dane fronts the Stoner Doom Metal band, The Quick. He also has a massive collection of Hellboy comic books. |
Comments
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Comments: 32
Visited by: 270 users
| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands  |
Totally agreed. My number three of the year. Btw, special mention should also go out to the great cover of Steppenwolf's Desperation.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| warrior_of_ice Posts: 169 From: Canada  |
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands |
Written by warrior_of_ice on 19.12.2010 at 00:25 Anti-Christian metal what a fucking joke, Metal is like life there's a place for everything there. And even though you might not apprve of its message this is easily one of the best albums that was released this year.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| warrior_of_ice Posts: 169 From: Canada |
Ill give it a listen, but i hate music that is tainted with religious propaganda (including anti-christian metal)
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| Dane Train Beers & Kilts Posts: 8902 From: USA  |
Written by warrior_of_ice on 19.12.2010 at 00:25 Why do you feel that Christian Metal is a joke?
---- (space for rent)
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| warrior_of_ice Posts: 169 From: Canada |
Im not gonna start arguing with you since your listed occupation is: Minister...
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| Wes Posts: 423 From: Japan  |
Written by Dane Train on 19.12.2010 at 01:07 Christian metal IS a joke. This is because any metal that takes on a religious form is screwing it's self. "Anti-christian" is not a religious faith or belief, it is a lack of one and the following criticism towards those who do hold faiths. We all know that holding a belief is different than not holding one. The holder is then responsible for justifying that belief. The same thing happens in metal or any art form. Putting a religious label over any piece of art put's that piece of art into a very special category worthy of any criticism or praise people may throw at it. Anyway, be it religion or politics (pro or against), it always gets odd when added to art and music.
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| Dane Train Beers & Kilts Posts: 8902 From: USA |
Written by warrior_of_ice on 19.12.2010 at 02:16 Who said anything about an argument? I am just simply interested in your perspective on this subject. I stay away from arguing, it is a negative action and I attempt to only fill my life with positive actions.
---- (space for rent)
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands |
Written by Guest on 19.12.2010 at 02:58 what did you find disappointing about it? Especially compared to their previous two. Cause the way you state come across to me you liked their other works. I am really interested in your reason why because you're the first person I come across who finds it a disappointment. That implies you were expecting it to be good. Loads of people dislike it but then again they never liked this sort of doom.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands |
Btw imo there is not much stoner in here at all. It is all just pure unadultered traditional doom.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| warrior_of_ice Posts: 169 From: Canada |
Getting back to the album- it sounds like garage rock to me. not impressed to be honest
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| RafaRata Posts: 117 From: Switzerland  |
From what I listened in their myspace , the music is not that special
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2570 From: Czech Republic  |
I think Doom Metal is quite great place for expressing one's faith... the whole longing for God theme or looking for Him or sharing regrets and asking forgiveness and all this. I mean there might be quite a lot of sorrow in a Christian life (which doesn't necessarily result in Doom Metal I know). I am listening to the album right now and it's like old Candlemass to me (I don't know, maybe it's different, but for some reason I think of Candlemass or Cathedral  ). So what difference does it make whether the dudes are Christians or not.It's music!
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| BloodTears ANA-thema Posts: 11835 From: Portugal  |
Definitely checking this one.
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| Götter avatar of misery Posts: 12300 From: Estonia  |
It's an okay album, but what makes it special is that it's the first veritable example of power ballad doom. Honestly, I thought I was listening to some 80s hard rock band trying their hand at doom. :p
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| Jason W. Razorbliss Posts: 3523 From: USA  |
Thanks for the review Dane, this is such a solid album from beginning to end, and really succeeds in putting the listener in a certain mood. Each song doesn't just appear, but it develops within the flow of the album. "Dayspring" is an excellent choice, and a great companion to my favorite in "Timeless Hearts" Top notch musicianship, and without a doubt agree on your ten for their performance here.
---- "After silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." - Aldous Huxley
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| MetalManic Posts: 623 From: Canada  |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 19.12.2010 at 05:04 Dude, there is tons of stoner here
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| Ag Fox Angel No More Posts: 4774 From: Hong Kong  |
Wow. I just checked their myspace after reading Marcel and dismal's Dutch Doom Days article. The production is so cool 
---- loves 小巫
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands |
Written by MetalManic on 19.12.2010 at 22:27 I beg to differ. Soulful bluesy doom does not equal stoner. Place Of Skulls clearly plays blues infested traditional doom and not stoner infested.  It's like saying Black Sabbath, Withcfinder General, Saint Vitus, Revelation have loads of stoner in their music, which imo is also ridiculous.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| MetalManic Posts: 623 From: Canada |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 20.12.2010 at 07:20
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands |
Written by Guest on 20.12.2010 at 23:05 mmmand yet you have Megadeth as the first band in your fav bandlist
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Dane Train Beers & Kilts Posts: 8902 From: USA |
Written by Guest on 20.12.2010 at 23:05 But it has. So I think your understanding of Metal history and culture may be very flawed.
---- (space for rent)
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| wormdrink414 Posts: 1295 From: USA  |
Written by Dane Train on 19.12.2010 at 02:30 Sorry. Have to jump in. You're generalizing. Argument can be very positive. I understand that you are a Christian--all of your arguments are 'destined' to end with the idea of god--but that shouldn't prevent you from seeing the benefits of thinking critically and rationally. To steer away from argument is to invite unreason. But I'm preaching to a minister. Enjoying the album, by the way.
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