Band:	Wovoka
Album:	Saros
Style:	Doom metal, Post-metal, Sludge metal
Release date:	April 14, 2015
A review by:	tea[m]ster

01. Chosen
02. Lament
03. The Sight
04. Trials
05. Sleep Eater
06. Prayer
07. Eclipse

Wovoka, a Los Angeles, California based band, have released their debut LP Saros. After many spins, this album has grown on me because of the fact that their sound is an exercise in perfecting the art of sharply contrasting tempos while balancing between misanthropic based themes and environs. While the approach is far from original or elaborate, it's executed with tightness, intensity and purposefulness.

The gist of the album is made up of atmospheric sludge and post metal fundamentals. Rhythmic drumming, layered and distorted guitars and "I hate the world" - deep, gruff screamed vocals as clear as day. I can relentlessly feel the vocalists pain and anguish -bone shattering to say the least. The songs are easy to listen to, not very complex for bands of this ilk - many of them take different avenues by sticking their tongues out at traditional genre aesthetics. Most have experimental tendencies in general where as Saros is more straight up, in your face sludge metal. I love the simplicity and elementary approach. The riffs chug and the bass lines give the music an indefensible border which in turn radiate song structures with just enough dissonance but are more so melodic and melancholic. The production on the album is nearly perfect, save for the vocals being a bit in the forefront, further enhancing the immersion on this hour long expedition into the dark and unforgiving domain.

Wovoka have undoubtedly done what others have done before in the genre but have used a unique creative force for their own terms, fully saturated in their own vision. Saros is not an ultra-common combination of sludge and post metal but an algorithm into the fray of mind-melting, oppressive music. The most appropriate definition of stipulations are thrown out the window here and an unmistakable sense of malevolent atmosphere, epic in scope and unyielding shines forth. The clean sections and build-ups during Saros are a needed break from the pandemonium but eventually the main sticking point will be the gargantuan sludge metal vibes unwavering adherence to ferocity.

Listen here on bandcamp