Cosmic Reaper: Bleed the Wicked, Drown the Damned

A few albums from near the end of 2025 impressed so much that they made my list of top releases. This is one of them, despite there being nothing groundbreaking about it. It’s just really good sludgy doom from this Charlotte-based four-piece.

The first two tracks, “Hammer� and “Bloodfeather,� deliver low-tuned guitars with unremarkable but effective vocals. The third, “Pot of Gold� hits you with some catchy fuzz effects, while the fourth, “Parasites,� gets jammy at the end. The fifth, “Dwelling,� might be their “Planet Caravan,� jazzy and atmospheric. It’s followed by two heavy ones, “Perfect Organism� and “Bones,� the latter containing a bit of solo, a rarity on an album dominated by riffs. The album closes with “Waiting by the Gallows,� the longest and perhaps slowest tune on the album, fitting its title.

I can see people thinking this album is too samey, a common complaint about doom. And there is some truth to that. But it works for me. This is Cosmic Reaper’s second full-length album. Their self-titled debut appeared in 2021, and sandwiched between it and Bleed the Wicked, Drown the Damned was a split with Swedish doomers Endtime. All three were released by Heavy Psych Sounds Records, which is gathering an impressive lineup of acts.

Track Listing
1. Hammer (6:35)
2. Bloodfeather (6:03)
3. Pot of Gold (4:34)
4. Parasites (4:19)
5. Dwelling (2:58)
6. Perfect Organism (5:22)
7. Bones (6:22)
8. Waiting by the Gallows (7:16)

Added: December 29th 2025
Reviewer: Aaron Steelman
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Heavy Psych Sounds Records
Hits: 74
Language: english

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