Album of the day: Black Oath – The Third Aeon

Praise for Black Oath’s The Third Aeon from San Francisco’s aQuarius Records: Doom metal bands aren’t exactly uncommon these days – which is a good thing, as we can remember when there were only like five or six of them, really! – but we know that I Hate Records can be counted on to bring us the best. Also, this band, Italy’s Black Oath, we already were familiar with due to an earlier, self-titled CDEP that we never could get enough of to list (though we might still have a copy or two in stock if you ask). We liked that, and we like this. What’s not to like?

Ultra heavy, fuzzy guitar chords surge solemnly forth like black rays from some sub-Hell, weighty riffs churn and crunch, with mournful, melodic vocal lamentations rising up over it all. Black Oath incorporate additional church organ atmospherics as well, adding to the idea that doom metal monks are making this music (and also giving us a suggestion of ’70s prog a la Jacula). The album is strong throughout, coming to an epic close with the eleven minute title track, that manages, within the confines of their monkish aesthetic, to really “rock out” at the end, while also bringing in rainstorm sounds and classical strings.

Most simply put, Black Oath manifest themselves like sludgier version of Candlemass, with plenty of Italy’s occult metal tradition (Jacula, Death SS/Paul Chain, Black Hole, and AQ fave Tony Tears) prominent in the mix as well. This sombre, majestic album ought to find favor with fans of the aforementioned, also Griftegard, The Wounded Kings, Fall Of The Idols, Thunderstorm, and maybe Moss too, though this isn’t so “ultra” doom as the latter. A delectable, despairing dose for all discerning doom hounds.

At 40 years old, Aquarius is the oldest independent record store in San Francisco. We try to only carry music we love, and we’re always searching for more new, cool, weird and wonderful music. All of which we then share with you, our loyal customers.

Tags: Album of the day, Aquarius Records, Black Oath, doom, I Hate Records, The Third Aeon

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 15th, 2011 at 1:43 pm and is filed under 2011, Album of the Day, Roadburn Recommended . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.