There’s a lot of doom metal. A LOT. Well, there’s probably more black metal right now, and a lot of that sounds remarkably the same. Luckily for doom, even though there are a slew of artists making these sounds, there basically are sub-genres within the sub-genre to keep it interesting, so people keep figuring out how to keep it on fire.
Pittsburgh-based doom crushers Stalemate of Wills are doing their mightiest to keep the sludgy doom alive, going more the Crowbar route dashed with some hardcore. Their debut album “Existence Denied” sends a jolt of electricity toward doom that dabbles as much in classic sounds as it does the mud, and the band—vocalist/guitarist Derek Kovcas, bassist
Jake Morris, drummer Bob McSherry—hammers with confidence and power that’s infectious. Over eight tracks and 28 well-spent minutes, it’s easy to hear how much of their hearts are in this, and that translates into the music, that stays a blistering course but takes a few bends when it’s needed.
“Visibility” opens and trudges heavily, barked vocals grabbing your attention by force, grisly mangling taking you under the waves. The riffs turn bluesy and sweltering, the chorus hammers, and psyche effects fade away. “Maximum Amounts of Woe” has throaty wails, a battering pace, and guitars that aim to mash digits in trunk doors. Beastly roars pump as the leads swelter, smoke rising and choking you out. The title track enters amid howls carving and then a sudden turn toward calm, cleaner playing icing before the temperatures rise again. Hardcore-style shouts drill you in the chest, the pace picks up, and Kovacs howls, “Extinguish the fire inside,” before everything melts away. “Two Worlds” has strong riffs that create a haze, stomping through mud, blistering as the humidity increases. Acidic wails scorch flesh, guitars spill before growing colder, and the final moments bring eternal numbing.
“Let It Be Known” opens with the drums driving, howls snarling, and the guitars swarming, pushing into a chugging pace. Riffs snake as the tempo gets more muscular, the heated attack continuing to make everything more uncomfortable on purpose. “High Above” is a nice change of pace, Kovacs unleashing raspier singing that honestly doesn’t get enough time to shine on this record. He has pipes and should use them more! Psyche colors flush as tougher wails return, adding thorns into the song, the guitars giving off fumes, everything spiraling into a strange vortex. “Unusual Character Profile” has guitars sweltering, the vocals lashing, the punishment welling up and laying waste. Leads smear, the growls do ample damage, and the melodies slither into the dark. Closer “Light the Way” has steely guitars, a solid assault, and additional hardcore jolts, the rhythm section showing its power. Guitars mount a final push, the vocals bring down the hammers, and the final moments succumb to echo.
Stalemate of Wills make a strong, measured debut on “Existence Denied,” a record that makes its point with force without overstaying its welcome. Lots of bands of this ilk feel the need to ramble on for minutes on end, which sometimes works, but this band delivers the goods and leaves the fat in the trash cans. This is a promising record that provides the band room for growth and also stands as an impactful first entry into doom’s crowded population.
For more on the band, go here: https://stalemateofwills.com/
To buy the album, go here: https://stalemateofwills.bandcamp.com/
For more on the label, go here: https://www.facebook.com/fftcrecords/
Meat Mead Metal 