GRAVETEMPLE — The Holy Down (review)

GRAVETEMPLE — The Holy Down album cover Live album · 2007 · Drone Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
renkls
While I’m yet to check out most of Sunn O)))’s expansive discography, I have come across the Gravetemple side project, namely through looking at the track listings for the albums. The debut full length/live album ‘The Holy Down’, certainly qualifies as a challenging piece for a metal fan, given that it takes all of forty minimalistic minutes to fully start to show its teeth. Even in the subgenre of Drone Doom metal, that’s pretty damn slow. Featuring an hour long track, this album was recorded in a war zone, and for that alone, holds an interesting backstory most albums should rightfully envy.

Beginning with the slow, errie pluckings of guitar strings, and slowly evolving into an electronically dominant middle section, the album picks up after the half way mark, forming a chaotic spiral into expressive sonic madness. The vocalist presents a very disturbing verbal musing, filled with strange vocalizations, gibbers and screams. Experiencing this live would have been amazing. Most of the effect of what that live experience must have been like has been well transposed to this album; which sounds to be two shows transitioned into one.

Uncommon for drone doom as well, this album features a blisteringly fast drum segment towards the end, marking a powerful climax to an unsettling album. For those new to drone doom or wanting to get into it more, this album gives a very interesting take, with dominant electronic influences and experimentation. Worth a dedicated and focused listen.
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