Sleestak - Book Of Hours - review
Sleestak - Book Of Hours - review
Tracklist
01. Appeasing The Gods (Intro)02. Seven Sorrows
03. Five Million Years To Earth
04. Lone Wolf
05. Blacklight Communion
A review by
Susan June 30, 2013
Imagine my joy when I was suddenly in possession of their new release. Though only an EP, here were a handful of new songs to satiate my need for this band. But, what's this? They're all 3-4 minutes long. Does that mean I don't get my intense Sleestak build-ups?
That's exactly what it means. But don't despair yet. Yes, the Book Of Hours EP takes the band in a very different direction than their debut. Gone is some of the sludge and doom, as well as the spooky, epic, build-ups. So, what is left? The blues, baby! And some damn spooky blues at that!
The creepy, spooky clean vocals are still very present, and the vibe has only changed its outer appearance while retaining the dark essence. Instead of long epics and sci-fi/fantasy darkness, we now have occult-based tunes that bring to mind old timey NOLA or a back-alley Memphis speakeasy. The guitars tantalize the ear and the rhythms bewitch the listener in a similar way to the build-ups of the previous record.
At first it was a bit jarring that this EP came from the same band as the last album - but over a short time I came to hear the deep-rooted similarities. As the chasm closed in my mind, I came to identify a true "Sleestak Sound." This really is not only an incredible release, but a testament to the band's extraordinary talent as songwriters and explorers of dark, crushing, metal music.
Listen and buy at Bandcamp.
Comments
Comments:
5
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 Posts: 15358 |
Posts: 15358
I liked the release a lot. while it was missing a lot of the cool out-there of Fall of Altrusia, the EP still is similar to the "other half" of their sound. i did like the clean vox. not sure why but sounded partially like he was doing a semi-ironic take on Scott Weiland's take on olde tymee crooners of the Sinatra era. not sure why in the hell that image popped into my head - specifically Scott Weiland - must have been lots of beer.
---- get the fuck off my lawn. Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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 Posts: 6941 |
Posts: 6941
It's a crime that someone hasn't signed them. But on the flip side, they're free to create whatever weird awesome music they want. Still, they deserve recognition/tours/a budget. If I was rich I'd start Sleestak Records.
---- "A life all mine Is what I choose At the end of my days" --The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
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Posts: 29  |
Posts: 29
Cheers! Thanks for the kind words! You Metal Storm folks have always been so nice to us. The EPIC stuff is on its way, just a matter of time and money. And like I have been telling everyone, I am pushing the next album to be a 70+ minute monster. We have the first 20 minutes or so written and it is going to be absolutely the heaviest stuff we've ever done along with some of the most melodic/serene elements we've conjured. Still working on the concept though... As for my vocals, I was brought up on singing along with Jim Morrison. And of course, he was a fan of and emulated Frank Sinatra. So I guess thats how I approach it.
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Posts: 15358 Written by Sleestak on 01.07.2013 at 22:38 fired up to hear about the horizon. also good to hear my rough assessment on the vox wasn't terribly far off the mark. love both Morrison and Sinatra myself.
---- get the fuck off my lawn. Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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Posts: 161  |
Posts: 161 Written by Sleestak on 01.07.2013 at 22:38 From just a listen to "Lone Wolf", I had to go and dig the rest of the EP. Thanks for this and other great listens - looking very much forward to what comes, especially "a 70+ minute monster" - Bravo!! Rock on!!
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