The DevilsHorns

Empires of Stone is the 3^rd album by Texan sludgy-doomsters Stone Nomads that dips its hairy toes into a bit of progressive metal. With heavy thunderous riffs, the trio blend numerous influences into the album, delivering an album that oozes class from every pore.

Lasting just shy of 41 minutes, these Texans cram in big, heavy riffs punctuated with gritty solos as it combines classic doom with a sludge overlay over its 8 tracks.

The album opens with a brief acoustic intro before the vocals utterly change the vibe of the album. With a big singular riff, ‘Lost in the Storm’ slightly dips into an almost folky vibe. It is a strange track, but intriguing. Then, ‘Eyehatesociety’ imposes itself on you. The riff is enormous, with a tone that epitomises doom. The track totally dominates the album opener, almost making it obsolete.

track sound big. Alas, the vocals are merely adequate, detracting slightly from the overall feeling the song gives you.

‘Desolate Sands’ shows a vocal improvement. Here, they utterly suit the track, accompanied by the monolithic riffs that reduce your guts to slime. An excellent solo is included and you realise how much the album flows.

Soon, the album reaches the final track. ‘The Devil Lives in Texas’ is my favourite track on the album. With a muted opening, a riff just explodes that is as catchy as herpes, it is pure filth captured in a groove. It is genuinely not fair ending an album with a track as good as this. It leaves you begging for more.

The closing track doesn’t ‘save’ Empires of Stone, the album doesn’t need saving. What is does is allow you to forgive any weaker moments, encouraging you to explore it in more detail.

This is what I will do on subsequent listens.

Stone Nomads Website

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