Asthma Castle: Mount Crushmore

Remember those old commercials about strong and wimpy trash bags? If not, you might remember them better when you learn that Asthma Castle describe themselves as “hefty metal.� I realize that Asthma Castle isn’t selling trash bags, but they certainly know how to make bottom heavy stoner metal / sludge that doesn’t fall all over the floor.

Asthma Castle is comprised of drummer Adam Jarvis (Pig Destroyer, Misery Index, Scour), guitarist Justin Ethem (touring guitarist for Integrity), guitarist Cameron Smith (Passage Between, Crawler), vocalist Zach Westphal (ex-J Roddy Walston and the Business), and bassist Jeff Davis (Damnation Audio effects pedals). Even though I don’t recognize all those band (or business) names, I know that some people think of Asthma Castle as a supergroup. Who wouldn’t want to hear what members of Pig Destroyer and Integrity can do together?

The good news is that Asthma Castle understands the power of the killer riff. Every track starts with the strongest possible opening, one that develops into some powerful but groovy songs. Don’t let the silly song titles throw you off; there’s nothing goofy about the killer riffs, the solid low end, and the crazy shrieks that bring everything together. The album starts out with the two best tracks, “The Incline of Western Civilization� and “Mount Crushmore.� I also liked “Methlehem� and parts of “Brazilian Catbox Incident.� The main drawback to the album is that it occasionally holds onto certain patterns or ideas for a bit too long. The biggest culprit was “The Book of Duderonomy,� an otherwise solid track that takes a bit too long to find its focus. Still, when the guys found their groove, the track chugged along beautifully.

Track Listing:
1. The Incline of Western Civilization
2. Mount Crushmore
3. Here Come the Black Ship
4. Methlehem
5. Brazilian Catbox Indicent
6. The Book of Duderonomy

Added: March 28th 2019
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 855
Language: english

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