Pale Keeper – Pale Keeper

 

 

Pale Keeper – Pale Keeper
Self-released – 2021
Doom, Stoner
Rated: ****

Russia's Doom scene is a sprawling, myriad array of diverse bands, styles, regional flavours and accents (as recently showcased by the Doomed & Stoned in Russia compilation) and Moscow Doom trio Pale Keeper turn back the clock and wrench us back to the Old School proto-Doom of yore. Hefty doses of Sabbathian riffage tinder-spark the opener, "Tower Lord": A straight-up, no-messing up-tempo Blues bruiser with a real vintage guitar tone chugging relentlessly. "Sylvian", however, changes the mood entirely: Low-key, atmospherics and a funereal beat usher in a simple, repetitive refrain that serves as an intro to "Getting High" - a slow, menacing Iommian riff and slow bluesy solo turns into another mid-tempo Doomer - sharp, clear vocals cutting swathes through the grime and directing its power, finishing up with a fierce solo from Davydov on the kill-strings. "Emerald Grave" continues the slow, agonized Doom tempo, again with huge walls of Riff and THAT guitar tone commanding attention, weaving a melodic, melancholic journey into your mind. The aptly-titled "Placid" brings a blessed, calming finale to a work of great power and attention to sound. Pale Keeper have announced themselves on the Underground scene in great style!

(Written by Reek of STOOM)

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram