Alms - Act One (2018)

I can't tell if this is magic created by heavy metal or heavy metal created by magic, but whatever the case may be Alms have cast a powerful spell with their debut album "Act One". Bellowing with doom and early metal stylings in the vein of Pagan Altar, but bubbling with infectious 70s organs that fill the air with sorcery and give things a driven intent when the time is right. You can almost imagine it as though classic Uriah Heep or Deep Purple got really into the occult. It's a beautiful blend of mystical doom and grooving hard rock that manages to walk the line between the dark and the light. The band's simultaneous male/female vocals help to evoke a bewitching aura, drawing the listener in with their charming mixed melodies while the music treads through dangerous territories. The opener "Dead Water" and the following track "The Toll" have enough sullen attitude that they could provide the soundtrack for a condemned prisoner's march through the stone halls between the dungeon and the gallows, but they still have a bright swagger to them that eventually builds and bursts into a heavy headbanging moment of passion. As the album progresses songs pick up more galloping power, crusading onwards like wizards on horseback. Throughout the album there's always this vague notion of ghosts looking over your shoulder - it becomes most apparent when the music hits a quiet point - but you never quite manage to catch a glimpse so you're left wondering if it's a haunting or it's all in your head. Alms has definitely found THE sweet spot between heavy organ-laden proto-metal and doom and now they're hammering it hard! Here's hoping for more! -Brandon

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