Sludge and doom metal are always a favorite genre to get into when looking for that combination of Sabbath inspired classic metal combined with the grooves and heaviness of modern metal. While Chicago 4 piece Pale Horseman are heavily influenced by such acts as Neurosis and Godlfesh, it’s the sludgier aspects that really give this band something to sit up and take notice of. Their latest release “The Fourth Seal” is 9 tracks of pure doom heaviness and not to be taken lightly.
The one thing that you notice almost immediately once opning track “Final War” cranks things up is the sheer wall of sound that eminates from the speakers, a good stereo system is well and truly needed to get the full experience of Pale Horseman and the band deliver a walloping sound that can best be described as sledge hammer being pummeled into your chest. Over and over and over again every track on offer has that massive sound that this 4 piece band from Chicago throws down, and it never lets up over the course of the 9 tracks that groove seamlessly with each other like an album should do.
Going through the tracks there’s definitely a sense that the sound was as important as the music itself. Of noteworthy importance then was the addition of new drummer Jason Schryver who did more than fulfill the job he was given to cover, his drum sound and the groove laden beats he nails down are damn perfect for the type of music that the band release here. There’s power in every section of the songs, together with the riffs that chugg along like a freight train ready to smash it’s way through anything that comes in it’s path.
Sometimes doom metal can have a certain redunancy to it that can at times be a little tedious if not 100 percent invested in the band. Luckily “The Fourth Seal” has enough variety from track to keep the listener engaged. From the grungey “Witches Will Gather” to the dark and aggressive “Aokigahara” and the highly energetic “Forlorn Extinction“, there’s plnety here to get into while keeping intact a trademark sound that Pale Horseman are obviously going for. One of the real highlights here is the string bending “Gnashing Of Teeth” with a hooky riff and a mid section that really puts you into a tailspin. The lengthy “Bereavement” is pure sludge metal and never waivers once bit in it’s almost 9 minute metal marathon and on the flipside of that, “Forlorn Extinction” at half the length is a more concised effort with heavy chugging riffs that’s bound to get the headbangers going.
I can imagine these songs and Pale Horseman with that huge sound at a live show must go down a real treat and really, where better to get into this kind of stuff than in a live setting. Those massive riffs and grooves are made for a sweat drenched experience so if you happen to be in the area where these guys play live, go check them out or at least go track this album down, disappointment just won’t be on the cards if you do.
TRACKLIST
Final War
Witches Will Gather
Aokigahara
Bereavement
Gnashing Of Teeth
Forlorn Extinction
Pale Rider
Tyrant
Phantasmal Voice
