Saturday 12 January 2013

ALTARUS - As Above, So Below

As Above, So Below cover art

Altarus is a Psych/Doom/Sludge Metal band from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

The members are:

j.p. contois - drums
tyler martin - guitar, vocals
karol orzechowski - bass, vocals

Altarus are a Psych/Doom/Sludge Metal band that plays style of music that they call Psychonautic Sludge. Yeah I have not heard that term either but whatever it is I am now a big fan of it because of this great band.

Their stunning debut album – As Above, So Below – is a 4 song and 52-minute blast of Psych based Sludge/Doom Metal of the highest order. Altarus add some spooky audio soundscapes to give you a slight un-nerving feeling especially on the 1st brilliant 13 minute epic – Lazarus. This track quickly shows you that your in for a stunning ride of heavy monolithic riffs from start to finish.

If you’re a fan of Yob, Saint Vitus, High On Fire, Sleep and Mastodon then your going to love this as they play a similar style of music of all those legendary bands put together but still sounding like their own unique style

One of the main strong points of the album is the creepy based vocals and lyrics that drive it through it’s hard-hitting conclusion.

Each of the tracks runs past the 12-minute mark and I am grateful that Altarus have stuck with the epic route. As all of the songs take their time in telling a brilliant and thrilling story full of amazing riffs that will have you enthralled from the start.

Lazarus is just the beginning of a wild 52-minute ride you will want to take over and over again. The vocals are superbly handled by both Karol and Tyler. They grab your attention from the start and they add a real layer of authority to this outstanding album.

The remaining 3 tracks follow the same template of the amazing and action packed Lazarus. Creepy filled ambient vocals and sounds with sublime Doom/Sludge Metal riffage that will scare the heck out of you.

This album feels like a lost soundtrack to a classic 70s horror movie. I am not usually a big fan of horror movies but this album even chilled me to the bone a few times. I would not say it is exactly Occult based Doom/Sludge Metal but it does have some scary moments to scare the listener with especially on the superb 2nd track – G.A.T.U.

A 13:36 minute epic of eerie based brutal Sludge/Doom metal vibes to rock out to. Just put this track on full blast and get lost into the majestic world of Altarus. This is my fave track on this outstanding album.

And that is all I am going to say on this brilliant album I am not going t spoil anymore of the surprises for the remaining two tracks or 26 minutes of amazing riffage. You will have to check this out for yourselves.

As Above, So Below, is expertly written, played and produced by everyone involved. It is an album full of atmosphere and wonder that you do not hear often in a debut album. This is a startling journey that impresses me every time I listen to it. I hope this album gives Altarus much needed exposure, as they deserve it. Everyone needs to hear this album once in their life.

It’s a shame I listened to this album (originally released Dec 2012) in Jan 2013 as it would of definitely made my best of 2012 list. I think I might have to include this in my best of 2013, as it is seriously brilliant.

Now you can listen to this brilliant album yourself as the guys have kindly given me to permission to give this album away for free right here.

All they ask in return is for you to headover to BandCamp and buy some merch from them via digital and physical means. Or to headover to Facebook and become a fan of this great band. Let them know what you think of their music.

We at Sludgelord are already confirmed fans of this brilliant band. I have to thank Altarus for letting us do this as it is really appreciated by ourselves at the blog.

Just listen to this amazing album now. You will not regret it. Brilliant and highly recommended.

Check Altarus from the links below.

Official
Facebook
BandCamp