There is evil among us that deserves to experience a devastating end, a humiliating demise that could spread some semblance of joy among so many people who have been hurt. But reality rarely seems to punish the unjust—it always seems the opposite is true—so we have to delve into fantasy sometimes to get a modicum of satisfaction.

Dustin Cleary helms blackened doom project Blackstaff, and on the EP “Drowner,” he imagines a tale where night travelers follow a light path into the swamp, either reaching their demise or finding their parts resurfaced for a greater beast. He’s purposely vague about the inspiration though does say the concept piece is inspired by a major news story about a helper for the rich and famous who “met a conveniently untimely demise before his day in court.”  Pretty sure I know who he means. Anyway, the piece itself is raucous, atmospheric, and adventurous, a thunderous new curve in Cleary’s path.

“Swamp Lights/Drowner” runs a little over 10 minutes, and sounds ring out and sting ears, trudging and smothering, the guitars taking on a Celtic Frost feel. Shrieks mar as the ferocity spikes, slowly adding pressure and spilling into an atmospheric gush, choked with clouds. The bottom gets torn out as the playing thrashes harder, screams ripple as the heat melts metal, the energy warbles and bleeds into “Godlike” that sickens with moaning doom. Guitars smoke and chug as the aura gets gnarlier, the darkness contorting into ashen devastation, masking bones. Guitars spit and make your ears ring, drums kick harder, and we push into closer “Flesh Golem” that basks in wilting heat. The playing jars as eeriness spreads, haunting as the ground quakes, growls menacing, synth leaving strange scars. Screams boil in acid, and the pace comes unglued, crushing with mangling force, combusting as the growls bury teeth in muscle, the final moments bleeding away.

“Drowner” is a powerful EP from Blackstaff that also has strange storytelling that lurks beneath the chaos. This is an adventure that, while appetizer sized, pulls you through the darkness and into the swamps to figure out what fate awaits. And let’s be honest: What’s on the other side likely isn’t welcoming, this metallic beast luring you to the end.   

For more on the band, go here: https://blackstaff.bandcamp.com/

To buy the album, go here: https://blackstaff.bandcamp.com/album/drowner-ep