MIDDIAN - "Age Eternal" CD (Metal Blade)
Doom metal and stoner rock from Portland, OR. This is the guitarist/singer from the band YOB's new project and it sounds a lot like YOB. His unique high voice, which I think is run through effects, his distinct flange-y clean guitar sound, and his solid riffs and rhythm playing on guitar. Most tracks are long and slow and have a number of quiet trippy sections surrounding the pummeling heaviness. Think someplace between BLACK SABBATH and HIGH ON FIRE. The way he plays rhythm on guitar reminds me a lot of HIGH ON FIRE. My only gripe is that he sometimes uses the same couple tricks on guitar all the time.
**1. One of the faster tracks and start fast and heavy right from the start. After his initial scream comes the first use of his clear falsetto voice. The track doesn't let up. It continually pummels. After the first 5 minutes the tack slows down and kicks into a slow heavy riff with lots of feedback that reminds me a little of BONGZILLA. The track ends with a solo and jam.
**2. Quiet, simple guitar to begin the track. Once the track gets heavy it is slow and very heavy doom. The track does speed up some and for a lot of it there are two vocalists singing over the top of each other, one growling and one his high clean voice.
3. The first 2 or so minutes ambient noises that don't do much. Once the track rocks, it's slow and heavy but melodic. The track never speeds up.
**4. One of the shorter and faster tracks which does remind me more of HIGH ON FIRE. Silly vague space, god, and mysticism lyrics.
5. All their different sounds plus some show up on this 15 minute track. It starts with noise, then a wonderful simple repetitive chord (note?), then some slow, pained doom, followed by a guitar solo and jam with spoken lyrics for the last 4 or 5 minutes.
Good stuff. -mph