Writers are always facing hard trials due their personal musical tastes (myself is included on such an idea), because it's not common to deal only with Metal genres that they love or are used to deal. But the need is greater than their tastes, so the best to them to do: to hear and understand such genres that they don't like to don't mess things up (if I tell you all about some reviews of some classics that were triturated by writers, you'll be surprised, but one example: "Black Sabbath" was crushed by a writer back on its days). Personally, I'm not the best writer to deal with Stoner Metal/Rock of all, but as I try to fulfill my own ideas, it's not hard to deal with "Invocation", the first album of Chicago Doom/Stoner Metal Specters of HIGH PRIEST. They're a band focused on unleashing a wise (and excellent) mix between Doom Metal elements with Stoner Metal aspects, but with a solid melodic foundation that enables the quartet to create formidable songs.

Of course such words aren't enough to translate the vibe, the groove, the energy and appeal of this release, but it's just to say that their music can be faced as a combination of the weight of the Doom Metal forefathers of BLACK SABBATH with the hooking melodic appeal of THIN LIZZY, and with some melancholic traces inherited of ALICE IN CHAINS and SOUNDGARDEN (pay attention to the vocals and filthy melodies of "Ceremony" to check such words), but with a modern and personal dynamic that is hard to find. It's a massive blow of energy with some psychedelic elements, but always as fierce and melodic as hooking. Taste it and you won't have complaints for sure. Some of the Stoner Rock/Metal feeling is due the work of Pete Grossmann (recording, mixing) and Brad Boatright (mastering), because things are sounding with that nasty and filthy touch to bear the 'organic feeling' required by the genre, but always in a defined way. It's really a very good result.

All the songs of "Invocation" depict a band that was born already mature, always being creative and interesting to the fans. But on "Invocation" (this is a true Doom Metal song with those slow tempos tempered with excellent filthy melodies weaved by the guitar riffs and arrangements), "Divinity" (a brutal and distorted song filled with dynamical Groove elements and charming melodies, with excellent melodic vocals), "Ceremony" (some lysergic psychedelic moments on the beginning can be heard on bass guitar and guitars, but the weight and melancholy can smash your bones to dust, really), "Down in the Dark" (another song with entanglement between Stoner Metal touches and Doom Metal elements in an USA way, with clear Hard Rock influences as well), "Conjure" (what a brutal weight is unleashed by bass guitar and drums on the rhythms), and "Heaven" (what lovely melodic and tender appeal, with clear traces of Pop Rock of the 70s and 80s in some melodies), you'll have their highlights (as such an album could have highlights).

"Invocation" is surely a great surprise to deal with, and for those into Doom Metal, Stoner Rock/Metal and tendencies around such genres, HIGH PRIEST is a new name to hear and love. And they have guts to grow and be a great name in the future as they mature.