Friday, March 17, 2017

LP Review: "Black Magic" by Alastor

Black Magic
The hardest thing for a lot of people is being able to stay composed under duress.

For myself, it's kind of a super power. In less than a second, Crisis Nik can come to the fore.  Being as normally, your friend and humble narrator, is a rather silly person, it's a shock to people when they see this for the first time.

It's something that has been very, very useful over the years. My entire demeanor changes. No longer, is it possible to be distracted. My focus becomes laser focused onto the issue at hand.

This is even the case in issues regarding my family. We all have emergencies in the family from time to time. Being able to stay calm, focused, and composed is really useful. Now, what's harder is when it's about music. You may  have noticed I play a bit of guitar.

Truth be told, I'm more of a guitar owner than a player.

Alastor
When the drums kick in and my guitar is in my hands, the excitement can overwhelm me and off to the races I am.

Not good.

Now, suspected hockey players and verified doom metallers, Alastor, they don't have that problem.

Not at all.

What's a problem in thrash and death metal is a plus in doom metal.

Alastor maintains, essentially, one speed throughout the entire record. The fuzzy, swirling guitars, never gallop away. The drums, bold and powerful, keep the rest of the group reined in.

The potential energy of this music is palpable and often causing fits of stress. Drummer, S, is like the engineer driving that steam locomotive in Stand By Me. At any time he could let go and find himself steamrolling the rest of the group.

By maintaining the sloth's pace, the full force of the chords are felt. We see the spin of the baseball during the pitch.

(This post has had two baseball metaphors....)

The tracks will actually move slower than the vinyl on the platter this time. It allows the listener to get involved in each note. Each snare. Each guitar solo.

Each groove is magnified.

Release: 3/24/17
Genre: Doom Metal
Label: Twin Earth Records
Formats: LP/CD/Digital
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