Unable to choose an album to review due for release on the 23rd, I decided on a face-off between 3 doom albums – a triad of doom if you will.
Each was given the 1-listen treatment within a 24 hour period. This doom face-off is between
Temptress – Hear
New Mexican Death Cult – Ziggurat
Ritual Arcana – Ritual Arcana
Let the triad of doom begin
Temptress – Hear
Released 23 January – Blues Funeral Recordings
Dallas is the home of Temptress, a trio peddling their own brand of doom blended with a slice of post-rock, grunge and post-hardcore. Hear is the follow-up to 2023’s debut album ‘See’.
Opening with ‘Into’, an instrumental opener with a consistent drumbeat and discordant guitar, it blends seamlessly into ‘Narrows’, where the fun then begins properly. With a delightful vocal, a pleasant riff is supported by a good tone and the track is full of bluesy doomy goodness. A decent start.
Not aware of the band, I was surprised when ‘Edge’ raises the pace of the album and the female vocals kick-in. Game-changer. This sets the tone for the album where the mix of male/female vocals provides a juxtaposition to set Hear apart from its peers.
With 8 tracks lasting just shy of 37 minutes, time is precious and Temptress use every second of it as the album closer, ‘Out of’ provides a bookend instrumental closer.
https://temptressofficial.com/
New Mexican Death Cult – Ziggurat
Released 23 January – Majestic Mountain Records
Gävle, Sweden is the home of New Mexican Doom Cult a 4-piece doom/stoner band whose 2nd album is called Ziggurat.
At nearly 44 minutes long, 7 tracks makes use of traditional doom riffs, mixed with a spattering of psychedelia that offsets the booming riffs. ‘The Church Of Starry Wisdom’ opens the album with an infectious, traditional doom sound that hits the spot. Vocally, Nils sounds like a cross between Blaze Bayley of Wolfsbaneand Iron Maiden fame and Ronnie James Dio, without ever copying them. Both of these guys are incredible vocalists, so it is no surprise that they stand out throughout Ziggurat.
The album does thunder along, but it never quite expands itself fully to immerse the listener. It is incredibly solid, nothing is dislikable about Ziggurat, but the lack of variation does impact interest.
New Mexican Death Cult save the best until last. ‘I Stand Alone’ is the stand-out track on the album, with a nice chunky riff that makes you ask where it has been. A strong end gives a more positive view of an album that is ‘alright’ but not great.
Ritual Arcana – Ritual Arcana
Released 23 January – Heavy Psych Sounds
US based Ritual Arcana are a genuine doom band, albeit infused with a hint of occult rock. The trio are led by Scott “Wino” Weinrich on guitar, ably supported by SharLee LuckyFree
on bass and vocals with Oakley Munson pounding he skins.
Opening track, ‘Ritual Arcana’features judicious use of cymbals. This is good, I love cymbals been used to great effect, and so the track is enjoyable, especially with Wino giving it pirouettes on his axe. A good start.
‘Occluded’ follows, a shorter song its opening riff belies the doom nature of the album until a proper nice and heavy riff ensues. More Wino jiggery-pokery on the guitar ensues and the air-guitar is well and truly out.
There are 10 tracks on Ritual Arcanaand the album lasts just shy of 38 minutes, but unfortunately, it sometimes strays into a doom-by-numbers routine. ‘Subtle Fruits’ is steady and steadfast, nothing really exceptional and it epitomises the album. Even the excellent guitar work littered throughout the tracks cannot save it in the Triad of Doom Face-off.
Result
Temptress
New Mexican Death Cult
Ritual Arcana
By far the most interesting album of the 3 is Temptress. With the mix of vocals throughout, it avoids gimmickry, instead providing a portions of doom that cleanses the palate just when you need it.
If you are to buy 1 doom album this week, buy this.
Or perhaps – buy all 3, as they are all very listenable.
The DevilsHorns 
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