Saturday, August 4, 2018

Skooma "Seven Foot Death"


"STOP! You have committed crimes against Skyrim and her people. What say you in your defense?"

Columbia, Missouri is where the Doom band Skooma calls home. Their fresh full-length release "Seven Foot Death" just came out today on digital outlets, just in time for you to trip out and melt into a puddle for the weekend. Skooma, for anyone who may not know, is a reference in the Elder Scrolls games, and is portrayed as a powerful drug. Drug reference band names tend to get labeled specifically as Stoner Metal, but share similar sonic qualities with Doom metal bands such as Electric Wizard and Sleep. With Skooma, the songs seem to focus more on the fantasy aspect of the genre but the tempos change mid song, so the line gets a little blurry here.

"Seven Foot Death" has 7 fresh tracks, and this band doesn't seem too concerned with the length of their songs. There are a couple of shorter tracks, and a couple that come in closer to the 7 minute mark. This record is more about telling stories, and letting each riff fully develop.

"Transmutations" begins the record with Chris McEuen (Guitars / Vocals) lulling the listener with instrumental riffing before opening up a high and mighty guitar solo which sets the tone of the record beautifully. "Vermin" shows the band's darker side, and introduces the audience to McEuen's low and raw vocal style. This is a shorter song, but unlocks the riff's full potential before coming to a close.

"VVitchburner" is the album's first traditional format song, and it shows off the band's Doom abilities. Drake Deems (Drums) sets a moderately fast tempo on this track, which develops into a powerful display of heavy riffing.

"Blind Wizard" hits the listener on the head, with the slow and low guitar chords blending in with Joseph "Sherpa" Hodges' (Bass) strings in magically enthralling fashion. Deems' drumming changes between slow and tempered to fast and fun whenever it feels right.

"Spider Queen" and "Tree Of Might" continue the tradition of the low and slow, but the band writes in changes just before things get too creepy. Sometimes Doom has a tendency to drone on for too long, but Skooma are masters of timing things just right. The album finishes off with "Priestess Of The Moon" which is another slightly quicker paced track, with a unique and interesting guitar solo break in the middle.

The production of the record is enjoyable. All of the instruments are loud enough, and the unmistakable fog of Doom style recordings hangs thick on each track. This is more of a raw style recording, a representation of what you're going to get at the live show, as is typically the standard for the genre. The tones are beefy and the vocals are generally thick. Some of the screams are thin, but they add to the energy of the album. These songs all have a fantastic build to them. Skooma will feel right at home to listeners of The Sword when they share the stage at Rose Music Hall on October 1st, 2018.

As always, I urge YOU to check out Skooma for yourself! Show them some love for releasing their full length record, and pick up "Seven Foot Death" right away!


"SEVEN FOOT DEATH"
Type: Full-length
Release date: August 4th, 2018
Label: Self-released
Artwork: David Paul Seymour

Tracklist:
01. Transmutations (2:15)
02. Vermin (2:12)
03. VVitchburner (5:19)
04. Blind Wizard (6:06)
05. Spider Queen (6:53)
06. Tree of Might (6:36)
07. Priestess of the Moon (4:53)

How to get it:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SkoomaDoom/

Bandcamp:
https://skoomadoom.bandcamp.com

THE VERDICT:

4 out of 5 Skulls

💀💀💀💀

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