Sunday 14 May 2017

BEASTMAKER - Inside The Skull (Album Review)


Release date: May 19th 2017. Label: Rise Above Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Inside The Skull – Tracklisting

Evil One
Heaven To Hell
Now Howls The Beast
Of God’s Creation
Give Me A Sign
Nature Of The Damned
Psychic Visions
Inside The Skull
Night Bird
Sick Sick Demon

Members:

Trevor William Church - Guitar, Vocals...
Andres Alejandro Saldate (Juan Bonham) - Drums..
John Tucker – Bass

Review

Greetings all,

Over the past couple of weeks I have given multiple listens to the new album by the Fresno, CA based Sabbath worshipping Hellions Beastmaker. Honestly, to call them Sabbath worshipping may not even be a strong enough description. You may ask yourself, if another Sabbath-esque sounding band is a good thing. It isn't a good a thing...It is a fucking great thing!

Beastmaker hits the darkest, doomiest, occult rock swagger possible. Inside the skull is both an homage and an evolution on the sound we all know and love. The only way I can think to say is that they absolutely, fucking killed it! They have studied, made the beast, and unleashed it on the world. So all you have to do is sit back and let it consume you.

The record sounds perfect. It is not over produced, not under produced, the sound and tone is spot on. The track list is perfect. They have modernized the sound of Ozzy-era Sabbath. The songs are amazing. Every track is filled with masterful riffs, they are catchy as hell, and filled with the kind of dark, sinister lyrics we all know and love. And dammit if vocalist/guitarist Trevor Church doesn't sound just like Ozzy. It is freaking eerie at times. The band is tight, the rhythm section of Andy Saldate and John Tucker are ferocious.

The record just oozes the big bass, drum and guitar sound that fills me with equal parts awe, jealousy, and appreciation for what I am hearing. The band has that unmistakable Sabbath sounds, but there are also elements of some of their past and present Rise Above label mates. There is some definite Electric Wizard heaviness along with some of Uncle Acid's creepy, garage psych fuzz.

Inside the Skull opens with a stunning 1-2 punch. Big drums and riffs open both Evil One and Heaven to Hell. These two lead into the dark ethereal sound of Now Howls the Beast, which features some absolutely stunning female vocals on the chorus. Of Gods Creation slows things down a bit, while still bringing the big doom laden riff. Give Me a Sign is probably the most Sabbath sounding vocal and is my favorite track. 

Nature of the Damned has a dare I say Alice in Chains vibe about it. Psychic Visions is an epic piece of doom and is followed by Inside the Skull which just continues the riff laden assault. Night Bird is a bit of a bombastic riff with a definite psychedelic tinge. The album closes with catchy, heavy bass chug of Sick Sick Demon.

Listen, I'm not going to say that if you like Black Sabbath you should check out Beastmaker. If you are reading this, you fucking love Sabbath. I will say that if you are in the mood or have ever wondered what Sabbath may have sounded like if they kept going (outside of 13...) you will want to check this out. I swear there are some absolutely eerie similarities. You will pick up parts that sound just like they fell out of the first 6. 

Dig it! Check this one out.

Words by Todd Stealey Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Inside The Skull will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Rise AboveRecords from May 19th 2017.

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