When a band or artist decides to record an instruments-only release there is a degree of confidence implied that goes beyond that of a traditional record. Vocals aren't always necessary to make good music, but without them, the focus is entirely on the music. Fortunately, Hamburg Sludge merchants SHAKHTYOR put their money where their (metaphorical) mouths are on their newest release, "Tunguska".

What becomes clear from the beginning of the thunderous and driving "Baryon" is there is nothing pretentious or showy about the musical artistry that takes place across the album. At times, as with the latter track, the band batter the senses with a single-minded, yet still-intelligent aggression; other times, the guitars ring cold and bleak across forlorn sonic landscapes  as is the case with "Pechblende", whose tone of sparseness and longing serves as a great transition to the mammoth "Zerfall". This is where the band hit their stride, combining huge, tumultuous riffs with a Post-Rock sensibility, while still staying true to their Sludge/Doom roots. The song really embodies the album as a whole, with its titanic chords and singular heaviness; there's one part in particular that reminds me of the earthy droning of MORBID ANGEL's "Gateways To Annihilation". It looms like some kind of primal phenomenon, a being no more, but also no less, fantastic than is discernable from the surface.

"Schlagwetter" takes a welcome stylistic turn as it kicks off with a very Black Metal-like whipping fury, gradually descending from muscular riff slabs to almost disturbing stillness, before coming back full circle in a whirlwind of crashing symbols and guitars. The title track impresses with its straightforward, monolithic heaviness, and the feedback screams that accompany the guitar lines emphasize their writhing ambiance. Closer "Solaris", yet another 9+ minute epic, caps off the album appropriately, drifting through vast layers of sound in an otherworldly journey that imparts equal senses of fear and wonder upon the listener, seeming very real at times while, at others, shimmering like some kind of desert mirage.

Despite the lack of lyrics, SHAKHTYOR's music is very thought-provoking and satisfying in its way. I'm not a huge Doom or Sludge Metal listener, but regardless of stylistic preferences, it's hard not to appreciate the uncompromising heaviness and creative approach to predominantly slow and crushing music that the band takes on "Tunguska". While it may test the patience of some listeners, "Tunguska" is undoubtedly a fine work of thinking man's Doom Metal.