Mount Salem are a four-piece psychedelic doom band from Chicago, Illinois, and their debut release from Metal Blade is titled Endless. Actually, Endless was originally an EP that the band released independently back in early 2013, but once Metal Blade signed them up, they added two brand new songs and we now have the 'new & improved' full length version of the album. The band is comprised of Emily Kopplin (vocals & organ), Cody Davidson (drums), Mark Hewett (bass), and Kyle Morrison (guitars).
Much of the material on Endless is ominous, creepy, and quite psychedelic. Morrison no doubt has studied his old Black Sabbath, Pentagram, and Saint Vitus albums well, so look for plenty of old school doomy riffing throughout the album. "The Tower" especially is a classic slice of crushing doom, with big, beefy brontosaurus styled riffing all over the place. "Lucid" also kicks major ass from a riff perspective. Vocalist Kopplin has an enchanting voice, mesmerizing the listener on the haunting occult rock of "Full Moon", soaring to the heavens on the upbeat psych/doom of "Good Times", laying down some trippy organ on "Mescaline", and then slaying the landscape with some powerful upper registered shrieks on the bombastic "Mescaline II". The booming riffs of Morrison & Hewett play alongside Davidson's pounding drums on the crushing doom track "Hysteria" (one of my favorite tracks here), and "The End" is like a nightmarish jam between The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, Iron Butterfly, and Black Sabbath.
Real '70s styled production values can be heard on Endless, which only adds to the haunting, creepy vibe that most of these songs display. If you like bands like The Devils Blood, Blood Ceremony, Avatarium, and Purson, wait till you get a load of Mount Salem. Apparently they are touring and already recording songs for a follow-up, so I'll bet Endless is just the beginning of what should be a wild ride from this band.
Track Listing
1) Good Times
2) The Tower
3) Lucid
4) Full Moon
5) Mescaline
6) Mescaline II
7) Hysteria
8) The End
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
