Windhawk Norwegian outfit TOMBSTONES has been around for a few years now, actively gigging and and finding time for the odd recording session now and then too. "Volume II" is the so far most recent of their efforts, and was released by Swedish label Transubstans Records in 2010.

My main impression is that this is a band belonging to the second generation of Black Sabbath inspired bands plying the doom metal sound. Plenty of references to Tony Iommi's doom-laden creations can be found, but I'd be rather surprised if these guys haven't listened to their fair share of albums by Electric Wizard and Candlemass as well.

Downtuned guitars is the order of the day, slow to midpaced compositions dominated by guitar riffs moving at the speed of cooling lava with the odd ventures out into slightly pacier territories but also to the real slow and sludgy guitar riff universe of the kind where the resonances are given good time to oscillate before the next riff comes thundering. And these guys know their heavy riffs, in terms of massive guitar sound this is a CD that is right up there with aforementioned Electric Wizard's "Dopethrone". Sans the psychedelic and droning exploits of that classic production however, with a more purebred variety of vintage inspired doom metal as far as stylistic expression and detail go.

Clever use of clean and acoustic guitar pop up on occasion, expanding the canvas nicely and crafting some nice contrasts explored thoroughly. But melodic resonances and subtle use of harmony riffs are the main weapons in Tombstones' fight against the repetitive aspects of the doom metal sound, and they do manage to add quite a few nifty details that manage to convey an impression of variety throughout. Different riff pattern constructions is another detail used to good effect, to the point of a few tracks veering off in rather unexpected directions.

The lead vocals could probably be better, and that is arguably the weakest point of this band presently. A lead vocalist able to carry and lift compositions of a more average variety.

Those with a soft spot for guitar riffs as dense as granite and heavier than the footfalls of a Brontosaurus should probably be considered the main audience for this Norwegian band. Those who recognize themselves in that description, or who generally tend to like bands inspired by the heavier parts of Black Sabbath's back catalogue, better check out what this fine act has to offer. A fine and solid, not to speak of massive, slab of doom metal from a fine and talented band.