Moonhorse

Bravo! This EP is quite the good omen. It is symbolic of some mature, hard-hitting and thought-provoking stuff. Honestly, what other portent can be better than tightly-executed doom metal, replete with crushing and catchy riffs? This EP is just that; a brilliant dose of doom and nostalgia from a group of professional and accomplished musicians.

All of the musicians, with the exception of the vocalist, have quite a stable foothold in doom and atmospheric metal. Of note would be Tiamat and Candlemass. However, one should not discredit the vocalist, Jennie-Ann Smith almost immediately, as despite not being in any prior bands, she can sing extremely well. She has a special voice; it sounds very silky yet husky. It adds to the psychedelic and occult rock vibe that the EP seems to exude.

The opener, Moonhorse, is extremely notable and is probably the best track on the whole EP; it starts with crushing, slow riffs that feel as though they are eroding through the soul. Suddenly, acoustic guitars kick in, and Jennie-Ann starts singing with a voice tinged with nostalgia. The acoustic singing section sounds so much like Coven. Huge plus points for paying homage to one of doom's roots!

Of course, this does not mean that the other two tracks are lesser in any way. Boneflower is very interesting for me. It gives me an uneasy vibe. The riff is so damn catchy, but it sounds so happy and depressing at the same time. Something about the track is so contrasting that it compels me to listen to it over and over again. The riffing here is also more reminiscent of rock and roll material. Avatarium has eclectic influences, making for quite the listening experience. Throughout the course of the EP, one would have assumed to hear touches of, say, Jethro Tull, Coven, Blue Oyster Cult, Black Sabbath and the like, and of course, one would not be wrong. The band does indeed seem to draw influences from many folk, psychedelic, occult and doom outfits, and they blend the aspects of the genres extremely well.

The closer is a Black Sabbath cover of War Pigs, and wow, is this an interesting take on the song! While the original was slow-paced and crushing, progressing into a mid-paced song, Avatarium's take on the song is a mellow, acoustic piece that serves as a fantastic closer to the EP after all that catchy riffing and looming heaviness. While some may be put off by the acoustic nature of the cover that the original did not have, it is a brilliant take on a classic and I assert it is timeless. It is good that a band does not just rehash a song; rather, they add subtle or dynamic changes to it and make it their own. Avatarium has done just that, incorporating elements of their own songwriting into a classic that will live time immemorial, and they have crafted a fine track that they can proudly call their own while doing Black Sabbath justice.

This EP is extremely memorable and will catch you instantly if you are a huge lover of doom metal. For the beginner, this EP is also a great place to begin your doom journey. It characterises doom metal and can set the standard for other doom metal acts. All the tracks are mighty and exert gravity, especially Moonhorse, a track that I will be listening to for a long, long time. Extremely worth your time. If you have 20 minutes to spare, do check this EP out and be prepared for an auditory orgasm!