If you are looking for some doom-laden, sludgy, old school metal, have I got a band for you! STONE MAMMOTH is a band out of Finland that has been waiting seven long years to release their eponymous album. After that long wait, Inverse Records finally released the record on February 12, 2021. Heavily influenced by the likes of 70s metal such as BLACK SABBATH, STONE MAMMOTH has updated the production quality, but kept the instruments and tunings true to their roots.

This record starts with an awesome guitar riff and a nice chugging rhythm on the tune "Mammoth Rising". This song almost feels overdue since it seems like the anthem of the rise of the band. The guitars are edgy, the vocals are gritty and the bottom end rock solid. This is just an all-around good song.

Slowing it down some, "Greatest Lover" goes even deeper into the sludge genre and just oozes along. The tone is dark and foreboding. The solo is faster and well-played without trying to go too fast. Anything too fast would sound out of place, and these guys know where their pocket is. They don't try to get ahead of themselves or show off their prowess. This is a band that revels in their ability to create a mood.

"Planet Mammoth" is another slower, stoner metal sounding song that just creeps through the verses and ramps up for the solo and bridge. This is another example of setting a pace that just fits the mood. The tones used are excellent for what they do. There is even a little bluesy section that adds to the overall feel of the song.

"Runaway" sounds like it could be a BLACK SABBATH song based on the opening riff. STONE MAMMOTH gives a nod to their influences without being copycats, and they create their own sound in the process. "Paralyzed Time" is a little faster and has a great galloping rhythm that just is the best example of a heavier song. Again, it is not too fast and doesn't sound like they are trying to compete with faster bands. It is right at the pinnacle of what this band should be and shows they are not limited in what they can do.

My favorite track on the record is the last one, "Black & Green". That guitar riff just hangs there and at the start. The drums set a pace and the bass sets a mood. The song feels methodical and intentional. The composition is just right and the sound is STONE MAMMOTH in a nutshell. The tempo shifts are right on time and the vocal range used is the broader on this song than any other.

I don't know why this record got stalled for seven years, but I am glad it got to see the light of day. STONE MAMMOTH is one of those bands that just gets their tones right. They have a niche and they fill it well. Their compositions are good and the production is solid, the mixing is good. This is an all-around solid effort that is worth a listen for fans of doom rock and 70s metal.