The Banishing

Alongside the stew-y likes of Doctor Cyclops and Hands Of Orlac comes Italian doom metal act Bottomless, which has just released its second album, The Banishing, following 2021's self-titled instalment, itself succeeding a slew of singles. On first listen, auspicious hints of "fast doom" in the vein of Pentagram, Saint Vitus and Trouble arise. For their part, less aged or wizened minstrels who weren't around before mass global cellular hypnosis will revel in how its rampant brand of occultic rockery parallels recent genre motivators such as High Reeper and Witcher's Creed.

Worth noting, front man/guitarist Giorgio, bassist Sara and drummer David hail from various well-established outfits within the heavy metal circuit, yet here fight a common cause, to assail the listener with a hodge podge of classic sounding doom riffs and debilitating pentatonic solos, whilst the rumbling rhythm section lays down a heady foundation, even if there are a few clean and solemn passages which integrate a becalmed coolness within otherwise incandescent craft.

As far as vocals go, Giorgio brings to mind Bobby Liebling and Withcraft's Magnus Pelander, with a slightly perceptible accent. My only gripe lies in how a few of the early songs, after the gripping "Electric Funeral" style opener, meander a bit before the full-on speedy doom factor returns in force for The Banishing's cozy forty minute remainder. Despite its clunky handle, Bottomless jolts the doom world. Hopefully, their next one takes things to an even greater level.