Stoner Metal tendencies are extremely old, once BLACK SABBATH kickstarted the genre back in the 70s with “Black Sabbath”, “Paranoid” and “Master of Reality”, but it was expanded and gained new ideas in the hands of acts as CATHEDRAL, KYUSS, MONSTER MAGNET and others. And the cross between Stoner Metal and Doom Metal isn’t a hard thing to be heard, and one fine example of it can be heard on “Hallowmas”, the latest full-length of the North American trio SONS OF GUIDORAH. Filled with an intense energy, slow-driven tempos, dirty (but yet hooking) melodies, groove-laden parts and intense and crude weight, the music of the trio depicts a Stoner Metal/Doom Metal way (because the band’s music depicts elements from both genres, but always in a balanced way), filled with an intense organic feeling, but not with exaggerated filthy.

Even some sentimental moments can be heard on the album, as clear on some parts of “Fall of Krypton” (something from ALICE IN CHAINS and SOUNDGARDEN can be heard on this one). The production worked on a way that puts tons of a load of organic filthy on it, but always with clean and defined instrumental tunes. It’s organic and easy to understand, heavy and with a ‘live’ feeling (what means that the songs become faithfully what the band can do on a live show). It’s not relying on traditional models for such genre, but fits on what the band plays and makes their music gain life.

Oppressive and catchy, all the songs of the album are what the fans of the genre wants from a release of Stoner/Doom Metal. Pay attention to what is expressed on “Dante’s Waltz” (fine vocals and backing vocals laying on a greasy instrumental sheath), “Black Manchuria”, “Her Fire Burns” (pay attention to the greasy and weighty riffs of the guitars), “Trial of Zod”, “Fall of Krypton”, “To Join with You” (very good bass and drums parts), “She Slips Away”, “Search for Water”, “Satan! You Owe Me!”, “Absolution”, “Hallowmas”, “Peace of Mind”, and a hidden track, and you’ll be nailed by the band’s musical work.

“Hallowmas” is very good release on such genre, so pay respect to SONS OF GUIDORAH’s music.