Saint Karloff - Paleolithic War Crimes

 

 

Saint Karloff - Paleolithic War Crimes
Majestic Mountain Records – 2023
Rock, Stoner, Psych, Prog, Proto
Rated: *****

Grabbing one of the vinyls from the premier run of their Interstellar Voodoo album from 2019, (which came in Fourth on the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown of 2019) was definitely one of my highlights of that year, and putting it on the player, still makes me feel giddy. Learning only later what was happening with the band and what tragedy and loss they suffered, does not steal away from that experience, and if anything makes me even happier and perhaps proud. Not because I own that piece of history in physical form, but simply that I’m listening to it, to that majestic bass work of the founding member Ole Sletner, who sadly passed away in 2021. Did the other members immediately know they would continue? Is Paleolithic War Crimes, dedicated to their loving friend, a final salute? Whatever the case, I do feel proud of what Saint Karloff’s Paleolithic War Crimes turned out to be, and I have nothing to do with the album or the members, I am merely a listener. But that feeling persists, and I am not ashamed to admit the weirdness of that, or of the fact that I did tear up once or twice while listening. Recorded by the two remaining members, Mads Melvold and Adam Suleiman, the seven tracks offer a lot of psych and prog out of the proto era. They kick things off with Psychedelic Man, which arrives slowly but surely, before a juggernaut break and following doom nod commences. Which quickly flows away and turns into this sailing galleon that splits through the waves and sets you up for what this album seems to be all about. Keeping you on your toes and never continuing long with one set of rules. Second track Blood Meridian, with luscious key work, that seventies riff, and a very bluesy boogie, is perhaps the track that wants to keep the same energy going for an entire song, but secretly changes it up as well, before whipping you into a frenzy. But never for one moment does the fluent breaks and changes tire. Saint Karloff seemingly effortlessly skirts along all possible pitfalls when you aim to make your album as diverse and grandiose as possible. It’s a dangerous game when you opt to go a different route than most others and by doing so turning the outcome into something purely yourself, but Saint Karloff pulls it off, and makes it all come together on Paleolithic War Crimes. Like clockwork, the timing and tone are executed to perfection. Heavy in dynamics, choosing for sonic brutality one moment and serene classic sounding psych the next. Surprise lurks around every corner and if you let it, Paleolithic War Crimes will shock and awe…

(Written by JK)

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram

Majestic Mountain Records

Doom Charts – June 2023 - Number 1