Irish atmospheric doom/sludge band SOOTHSAYER have come up with a majestic album that takes the best elements of doom and sludge metal and creates something truly impactful and moving. There’s a kind of intensity in their generally soothing music that’s rare in the style, echoing the sentiment of mother nature finally lashing back at us all after being subjected to the ill-treatment doled out by the humans for years and years. The official video can be streamed on both Bandcamp and YouTube, with another one poised to come out soon.
Irish doom/sludge band SOOTHSAYER released a gem of an EP a few years back, but nothing could’ve prepared us for this powerful, monolithic album which happens to be their debut full length. Somehow they have retained the emotionally-charged atmosphere while adding next level intensity to their music. It is now pulsating with raw, irrepressible energy which is almost bursting through the music, echoed by a truly harrowing performance by the vocalist. The sentiments of frustration, rage and despair come through because of the systematic and apathetic destruction of nature, and it has had enough and is now lashing back at all of us. This album captures this feeling perfectly using an organic sound, eschewing the use of paint brushes to create the artwork with fallen leaves, and most importantly, channeling the chaos surrounding us all into pure sonic catharsis in a manner that this genre can barely contain. This is one of the most emotive and turbulent albums in the realm of doom/sludge metal while being consistently plaintive, angry and evocative at the same time.
Track Listing:
- Fringe
- Outer Fringe
- War Of The Doves
- Cities of Smoke
- Six Of Nothing
- True North
Líam Hughes – Voices, Soundscapes
Con Doyle – Guitars, Voices
Marc O’Grady – Guitars
Pavol Rosa – Bass
Sean Breen – Drums
Additional vocals on True North by Dave Ingram (Benediction, Hellfrost and Fire)
Additional chanting on “Outer Fringe” by Pavol Rosa and Sean Breen.
Additional lyrics on ‘War Of The Doves’ written by Eugene Robinson (Oxbow)
Additional vocals on ‘War Of The Doves’ by Eugene Robinson (Oxbow)
Additional vocals on ‘Six Of Nothing’ by Paul Catten (Medule Nocte, Murder One)
Additional chanting on ‘Six Of Nothing’ by Ralf Garcia (Requiem, Wolf Counsel)
Echoes Of The Earth was recorded in the Spring of 2019 at Kitten Lane Studios in the city of Cork, Ireland
Engineered by Aidan O’Mahony
Produced by Pavol Rosa
Mastered at Tower Studios by Brett Caldas-Lima
Logo and Graphics by Marc O’Grady
Artwork and Lyrics by Líam Hughes