Don't let the cover image fool you into thinking that Trampled Under Hoof is some Satan worshipping new release from some black metal band. No, this new EP from the purveyors of doom Goatsnake is a wonderful early 70's sounding recording that provides the blueprint for what the bastard offspring of Black Sabbath and Cream would have sounded like. This is slow, heavy music, so fueled with pounding, doom-ridden dirges, that you half expect to wake up from a dream in some creepy cemetary. Layers of distorted guitar and pounding rhythms lay the framework for the melodic (surprise!) vocals of Pete Stahl, who sounds a lot like Jack Bruce. It makes for an interesting combination with the ultra-sludge guitar work of Sun O))'s Greg Anderson, whose wall 'o thunder is as epic sounding as it is heavy. The lengthy opener "Portaits of Pain" is a classic example of doom metal, and would bring a smile to the face of any Sabbath or Candlemass fan. The other two new tracks on the EP, "Black Cat Bone" and "Juniors Jam" are also trademark doom, yet highly melodic. No guitar solos here, just atmosphere and wall shaking power.
The band includes two covers to round out the package. The first being a coma inducing version of Saint Vitus' monstrous "Burial at Sea", the other an interesting take on "Hot Rod" by Black Oak Arkansas. Hearing these two almost make me wish that this band would put out a whole CD's worth of covers at some point. Fun stuff indeed!
In short, something to whet the appetite for the bands next full fledged release. I'll be waiting...
Track Listing
1) Portaits of Pain
2) Black Cat Bone
3) Juniors Jam
Bonus Tracks
4) Burial at Sea
5) Hot Rod
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