We’ve been waiting for your arrival Sire..
After a long awaited decade of unknown reassurance, They are back. Angrier, meaner, darker, and Inviting you to hop in the desertcreaking locomotion. We’ve heard “Trampled Under Hoof”, We’ve seen them in playing live Southwest Terror fest III, but that’s still not enough. Goatsnake returning from the grove, along with the ride a new member to group. Scott Renner from Sourvein to fill Scott Reeder(The Obsessed, Kyuss) spot on Bass(What a coincidence heh?) and Greg Rogers behind in Drums. The longing and need of wanting to hear some more of their Groovy dark, shaded, southern-rock doom flare sound, is very real. Goatsnake “Black Age Blues” is released through Southern Lord Recordings. A bleak, gloomy colour haze is written all around the cover art. Done masterfully by Samantha Muljat, who previously work with Earth in “Primitve and Deadly” also released by Southern Lord Recordings. “Black Age Blues” is produced by the none other the person who’s responsible for engineering and producing bands such as Ghost, Rush, Black Sabbath, Mastodon and more. But more Importantly responsible for Goatsnake previous full length album, “Flower of Disease”, Mr.NickRaskulinecz.
(Photo by Samantha Muljat)
As time goes, I myself, see Goatsnake as a living scenery in the desert. And each members are a character in that scenery. For example, I see Greg Anderson as an Nomad living off from Mojave desert, wearing a black thick robe. Pete Stahl as a Coyote lingering behind the light, howling and barking at moon, preying on human corpse. Scott Renner laid bare as the Mother earth feeling and trembling while Greg Rogers thundering the skies, throws lighting throughout the horizon.
“Another River to Cross” is an instant classic Goatsnake style, filled with four piece force hammering down the drain, one of the concrete breaker tracks. Not to mention this track is a continuation from “The River” from “Flower of Disease”, eerie singing sounds of a sea siren ellips blissfully, then follows in an acoustic southern vibe guitar tuning at which time accompanied by Renner bass force in the background then slams in, Gracefully. Energized and Skull fractured material, is “Elevated Man” upbeat shredding opens in then Stahl joins in the process combined with Rogers muscular drum patterns, A form of typical Goatsnake manner since they began that never really whims away is their tone and melody, Plus that quirky Stahl voice form fits perfectly in “Coffee Whiskey”, More loose and confident.
“Black Age Blues” is my personal favorite, a pretty much my kindaGoatsnake flare back in the days, filled with things you love from their previous album, that Southwardly riff movement, Duelling between Stahl, Rogers, Renner and Anderson then just slams into one, Molded with sweat and Doom. “House of The Moon” have Anderson signature groove from his other band project the ear babbling drone “Sunn O)))”. While on the intro lingering on Stahl arching with his vocal textures while on behind Southern Choir Group supporting with that gracefull tone, “Shine On”. Heavy drum fills,roided and pumped. This trait clash with Andersone Slow heavy mounting riff, collide beautifully. Same goes for “Grandpa Jones”. Stahl leads the harmonies with them choir group behind humming. His gospel style like stretches out skywards bound for victory, and thrills along your spine in terms of Anderson development in the riff section, such as “A Killing Blues” Andersons lunges in slowly as ascends with screeching sinister vocals by Stahl. And that final moment after “Thunder Lighting..” slipping out Pete’s mouth. All hell breaks loose completely. Ecstatic and masterfully done, what a joyful ride I’ve been in.
Goatsnake evolves beautifully, through the years. eventhough in this album is a bit more upbeat, they still refined as the best Ultra heavy rock doom four power piece. They’ll be looked up as a Torch carrier in the darkness of the night. Unforgettable and mesmerizing.
“If you’re a fan of Unforgivingly thunderous riffs, and flush up with the dark bleak Southern world. This is a must be album in your playlist”
Reinhart Jeremy, REVOIRREVOLVE
