So Much For The Sun- S/T (2017)

The first thing you hear when you listen to So Much For The Sun's recent S/T Release is the opening to the tv show "Tales From The Darkside" and it very much so sets the tone for the rest of the album. We are then greeted with a wall of fuzz, that is not unlike the tone from Electric Wizard's "Dopethrone" album. However, it's definitely fuller, and it's definitely meaner. While I would describe the smoke emanating from the studio during EW's recording session as probably being green and smelling dank as fuck. The smoke exuding and dispersing from So Much For The Sun's studio session must have been grayish /black and reeked of sulfur. I honestly dig this sound a lot more, and I think it has to do with the extra bass in there that's really pacing a punch, and makes their sound that much more devastating and crushing. Tone comparisons aside, these two bands don't really have much more in common, as SMFTS seem to be more in line with all the other bands we've been reviewing from Ireland (for real what the fuck is up with that scene?), and lean toward the gloomier side of doom. I mean there's parts of this that sway to the stoner side of things, but for the most part this has a dreary atmosphere about it. Be it dark clouds over a decaying landscape or industrial ruins, you can feel the vibes of pure dread. There's some great grooves going on here, and things get kinda sludgy at moments with the detuned strings, which is excellent. The vocals definitely have some range, going from a smooth and almost soulful shout/scream (kind of reminds me of Burning Witch) to a deep harsh growl. The drums on this hit hard as fuck, even when the band goes off on little boogie tangents here and there. Overall I really dug this. It's a rather enjoyable piece a doom that casts its shadow on a world that needs good Doom, and these dudes deliver. Cheers! -Samir

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