Antarticus - The Frozen Horror
Stoneburner Records - 2019
Doom, Stoner, Progressive
Rated: *****
From the great white of the Yukon, the three daring warriors of Antarticus brave icy peril to deliver a slab of epic and crushing progressive stoner doom with EP The Frozen Horror. Telling a mesmerizing three-part tale of subzero danger, the trio are armed with 80s synths, Sabbath worship, and loads of atmosphere, with each track chronicling a different chapter both lyrically and musically. The excellent retro D&D cover is a good indicator of things to come, as the title track opens with laser beam synths before diving into low and slow Sabbathian doom and churning High on Fire-inspired riffs. Respite from the aural assault is given only by an eerie synth interlude, immersing the listener in the snowy pursuit by some unnamed terror. No “Refuge” is to be found in the standout second track, however, which is a treasure trove of metallic riffs that build up nearly overwhelming tension amid Fu Manchu-styled vocals. After a madman drum fill, a truly evil riff snakes in before lead weighted doom takes over. The track is downright smothered in atmosphere, and is a chilling joy to listen to. Emerging from meager shelter to complete the journey, closing number “Thaw” is a nine and a half minute epic of headnodding crunch and wild drums that follows the daring warriors to world’s end. Minimal, eerie guitars hint at danger, and the journey comes to a morbid end with lumbering low end and haunting shrieks. The Frozen Horror is an extremely impressive accomplishment of an EP, as Antarticus use musicianship and storytelling to play off one another and create an epic, menacing experience that’s as bone-crushing as it is captivating.
(Written by Kyle)
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