Founded in late 2008 by former Alabama Thunderpussy guitarist Asechiah Bogdan, alongside singer Dorthia Cottrell, second guitarist Garrett Morris, bassist Nathan Hilbish, and drummer Jeff Loucks, this Richmond, Virginia based Stoner/ Doom Metal act first had itself heard of with their self-titled 2-track demo, recorded in the rehearsal space and released in limited copies (only 80 made) in August 2010.
Whether Loucks was at that very time still in the band is unclear to me, but what I dó know is that during 2010 he was replaced by the band's current drummer, Ryan Wolfe (also playing with The Might Could). In the new line-up, the band signed a deal with Forcefield Records, who released the band's self-titled debut album in February of 2012. Somehow the band then attracted the attention of cult label Relapse, which is almost certain to have increased the quality of venues the band would play at from then on. Early 2013 recordings brought the material for the upcoming album, as well as two songs released on a split with Cough (who had only one track on that EP), and which was released (through Relapse) in mid-April of last. This EP máy already have seen a switch at the bass with Hilbish (whom apparently had been occasionally exchanged for live duties by T.J. Childers – whom you may know from Inter Arma, Lord By Fire, The Might Cloud, and War Graves – since 2011...he's might still be relied on for current-day gigging, by the way).
If you'll believe the opening of the very short info sheet from the label (they're never a great help in providing info on the artists they work with), “Windhand's debut Relapse full-length is nothing sort of transcendent”. I mean, would a label describe a new signee in any other way but flattering? They go on to state, “On its surface it is a 'Top 5 Of All Time' Doom record, but this record is for more than just Doom-Metal fanatics though – this is an epic record for all fans of guitar driven Rock 'n' Roll...” (now ain't that the cunning salesman trying to push his wares to a broader public, eh?) “...On Soma Windhand successfully make syrupy slow, downtuned Doom hooky and anthemic...” (a difficult read, that, but what's meant is that the band makes its music hook-laden and anthemic). They go on with a very vague description, “Propelled by singer Dorthia Cottrell's beautifully haunting bellow, Windehand's dual guitar attack sounds like the glorious misfit offspring of Black Sabbath and Nirvana,” and finish up the info (barring a couple of press quotes) with the bold statement, “An easy candidate for Heavy Music Record Of The Year.”!
Now I have to say that the press quotes the label chose to display in the info sheet are proof of the fact that sóme people at least were impressed : “...simultaneously spooky and psychedelic, with tremors of backwoods horror reverberating within the band's riff-and-rhythm lockstep...” (from a Pitchfork review); “...premier Doom at its absolute gloomiest.” (theobelisk.net); “...the ride is glorious and titanic indeed, helmed by awesome, witchy, occult – and most importantly, melodic – singing...” (4/5, Terrorizer); and finally, “Breathtaking!” (Cvlt Nation).
I daresay, it looks like I'm somewhat negative toward all the above praising statements, doesn't it? The truth is, I am nót that easily impressed, but I hàve to admit having loved to listen to the album for the first couple of times. After that, the repetitive nature of the music on the surface swiftly made me shift towards the two latter and longer tracks on the album (“Cassock” is almost 14 minutes in length, “Boleskine” is over 30 minutes), because in those the lead guitar at least brought some (although indeed still repetitive) undercurrent. The album closing “Boleskin” even finds room for some spooky atmospherics, and more variety is brought in with the use of some acoustic guitar in the tracks' opening passage. Acoustic guitar is also the only instrument used on the song “Evergreen”, which finds Cottrell very suitably backed with harmonic vocals brought, in all probability, by the guitarist. Very possibly a song meant to allow some of the band's members a short (well, the track is after all nearly 7 minutes long, you know) break on stage. As haunting “quiet” as that track is, the guitars simply blàst in the other 5 (well, allowing for the atmospheric passages in the album's closing tracks, that is). For your listening session, surf either to the band's MySpace page (I have no idea what's on there), or even better to the “Music” section at (www.) facebook.com/windhand, where you'll find yourself re-directed to the band's BandCamp page, and where you can listen to the band's complete output so far!
Okay, “end conclusions”...and let's try not to be negative about things, eh, because Soma is actually a worthwhile album, which should indeed do well with your regular Doom Metal fans. I don't understand the label's allusion to Nirvana affinities, because for the love of me, I swear there's nó Grunge in this music at all. On the other hand, people into slowed-down, melodic Stoner Rock/ Metal might find the album worthwhile a listen as well, providing they like Cottrell's somewhat different vocal approach...for me personally, it's his clean medium-high haunting pitch which pulled me back on the positive side for this band. Yeah, not a band album, after all!