Band:	Curse The Son
Album:	Excruciation
Style:	Doom metal, Stoner metal
Release date:	June 12, 2020
Guest review by:	Blackcrowe

01. Suicide By Drummer
02. Disaster In Denial
03. Novembre
04. Worry Garden
05. Excruciation
06. Infinite Regression
07. Black Box Warning
08. Devil Doctor Blues [bonus]
09. Phoenix Risin' [bonus]

The Curse Of The Sabbath's Son… A Tale of Obstinacy.

Black Sabbath's influence looms large over the stoner and doom genres, inspiring countless bands with their iconic sound. This legacy has given rise to innovative groups like Sleep, Saint Vitus, and Electric Wizard, each adding their own twist to the genre. Curse The Son draw from this legacy to create something unique and powerful.

Curse The Son is a power trio from Hamden, Connecticut, US, featuring Ron Vanacore on vocals and guitars, Brendan O'Keefe on bass, and Robert Ives on drums. They have enthralled audiences with their heavy Sabbath-style riffs and emotive vocals since their inception in 2008, remaining true to the essence of classic heavy metal while exploring a variety of genres.

Their discography includes notable releases such as their amazing debut Klonopain from 2011, the short-lengthed doom classic Psychache in 2013, and the outstanding Isolator (2016). In 2017, drummer Michael Petrucci left the band, and Ives was hired as his replacement. Next year the band faced another significant setback when bassist O'Keefe was injured in a motorcycle accident, which delayed the release of Excruciation. Those incidents contributed to the darker sound of the album compared to their previous releases. Excruciation demonstrates their perseverance, drawing inspiration from the classic heavy metal sounds of Pentagram and Candlemass, infused with stoner rock. Curse The Son starts on a musical journey that reveals the dichotomy between despair and hope.

Excruciation is structured like a story, revealing the band's experience through hardships and tribulations. The album kicks off with "Suicide By Drummer", reminiscent of Black Sabbath's song “Hole In The Sky”, featuring Ron Vanacore's haunting vocals and Ives' solid drumming. Tracks like "Disaster In Denial" and "Novembre" combine doomy riffs and atmospheric elements, while "Worry Garden" experiments with dark folk, adding a twist to their sound. As the album progresses, each song offers a unique experience, from the southern rock vibes of the title track to the metal anthem "Phoenix Rising". While some tracks, like "Infinite Regression", sound like an obscure side of Alice In Chains, others, for example "Black Box Warning", leave a lasting impression with their raw energy and vibrant riffs. The album culminates with "Devil Doctor Blues", a Mississippi Delta blues roots with a badass slide guitar.

Excruciation is a diverse collection that highlights both the band's strengths and areas for improvement. Curse The Son is a great power trio, but there are moments where their influences are too prominent. However, they have the potential to craft a distinct musical identity moving forward. Excruciation is a testament to Curse The Son's stubbornness and musical exploration. Although there are some flaws, the album offers a glimpse into the band's journey through hope and despair with heavy riffs, great vocals, and moments of musical brilliance.

Curse The Son, thanks to their obstinacy, made a sonic odyssey about their suffering and musical evolution. The band will release a new record in September 2024. I'm anticipating it, and based on the tracks on Bandcamp, it appears to be great.