SHZine: doom

Thursday, December 15, 2011

SubRosa - No Help For the Mighty Ones

Subrosa - No Help for the Mighty Ones
Profound Lore

Emerging from the unlikely town of Salt Lake City, Utah, SubRosa come to the table with a whole other flavor of doom metal. Using violins with the classic guitar/bass/drums band line up, the group executes haunting and ethereal doom songs. There is no shortage of deep, heavy rumbling going on here, but coupled with the violins and the vocals of not one, but two ladies, Rebecca Vernon and Sarah Pendleton, SubRosa create a harrowing yet meditative experience on No Help For the Mighty Ones.

SubRosa keep things interesting with elements of blues-based rock, sludge and stoner rock, but rarely do I get to hear a doom album that I would consider to be as beautiful as it is desolate. Those who love their doom/sludge/stoner sounds but are looking for something refreshing need look no further.

Recommended for fans of Witch Mountain, 40 Watt Sun and Dark Castle.

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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Starve - Black Sludge, White Sludge EP

Starve - Black Sludge, White Sludge EP
Badger Records

Sludge doesn't come much more depressing than this. I mentioned Starve in my review of the Planks/Narsaak split; their 2010 album Wasteland was a favorite, and here they are with a new two-track EP of their own entitled Black Sludge, White Sludge.

The first track has more of a blues feel akin to newer Electric Wizard or classic Crowbar, while the second track just wants to stomp a mudhole in you. Starve have to be taken seriously in the vast, swampy field that is sludge, as one can play their releases right alongside classics of the genre. Recommended heavily for lovers of Eyehategod, Ramesses and Rwake.

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About

Started in 2000, Scandalized Human Zine is a Fraser Valley, BC based music webzine with the intention of covering a range of music that fits the personal tastes and intrigue of the contributors. Considering the vagueness and unpredictability of what we deem fit to print, we would like to give exposure mostly to lesser known, quality artists that pass our way -or to even whatever miracle of music we may surprisingly stumble upon out in the world. We also give props to our local friends, because they kick ass so much.

SHZine's subtitle used to make reference to such genres as mathrock, postrock and avant garde; but behold! This was only a lure to those who may deem themselves as wise in their ways. It's true, we do enjoy the more challenging styles that defy description so we can make up our own genres and become historical figures in the documentation of rock and roll, but it's also hard to ignore the more genuine inventions of spirited composers that easily fall into the categories of simply amazing, relevant or moving.

It's also true that 'we' means myself and the very gratefully appreciated contributors; and we run everything to do with SHZine from editing, design, html, reviews and correspondences in our spare time as a hobby.

I currently live in Abbotsford and am working with my good friends who run Champion Jack's Emporium, a choice vintage and record shop in Historic Downtown. Also, Daryl has a show on UFV's 101.7 FM CIVL Radio called Disposable Existence. Feel free to check out our other friends, contemporaries, and colleagues in the links section.

Thanks to our readers, writers, friends and most of all the artists.

-Stu