zoroaster matador cd

I guess I am on a pre-cross, record review tear here. Zoroaster's new CD Matador is a surprise hit. Wasn't too impressed with their first record and with the glut of doom bands to check out, I was lucky to overlook my initial underwhelming, and give their sophomore release a spin. This is the opposite of the sophomore slump. Heavy for sure, but with a variety of good grooves and some major helpings of riffing and shredding. I prefer my doom with an anti-social edge and this delivers.
My favorite track, Trident, is almost in the Monster Magnet camp.
This is a keeper and definitely going to go into the cross season road trip selections. Can't say that about many other doom-lords. Nothing worse than zoning out to some plodding repeto-riffs as you careen down 95 back from a race with a carload of smelly, sleepyheads......

Ascend-Amplefire Within

This record got my attention well before hearing it. First of, most of the SUNN side projects of late have been better than SUNN itself-Grave Temple and Burial Chamber Trio for example. Second, Iceburn? Come on, break out your victory cassingle. Post-Insight Mahavishnu rock? Ex-Iceburn/Insight back from the grave united with Ex-Engine Kid/Brothehood? An unholy reunion of Revelatin#34. Third Bubba DuPree on guitar. Void, Nuff said.
Bands who use puns and play with words usually suck so the amplifier/ample-fire title thing was a cause of concern, but what do Ascend bring to the table?
Pretty meandering riff rock with its own personality(which in the cookie cutter doom scene in a blessing) It flirts with rocking out, but never seals the deal-a lot rumbling Sunn action. Some vocals-kinda low and gruff. Divine pushes along with some trippy growling and then fades away. VOG starts off strong and gets your hopes up-even has some bagpipe droning away. It keeps it pushing forward in a sludgey Melvins/Sleep style and is more up my alley. VOG is also the track the features leads from both Bubba Dupree and Kim Thayill. The solos are pretty creepy and good. This may be the main reason to get this record. Dark Matter starts to swell into something heavy and interesting after a bout 6 minues with a horn and organ swell. (swelling horns and organs??? what am I thinking) Some half speed harmonized Iron Maiden guitars keep it moving.
There is a real split in the doom world between those who like it harsh (burning witch) and those that like it rumbling and droning (sunn, etc). I am in the harsh camp and if you can't be harsh you better groove at least as good as Sabbath, Sleep, or buzzoven. So for me this had some moments, but didn't really live up to the hype except for the crusher VOG.
Hope Penntemple is better.

SUNN Oracle LP

This record pushes the "how much art can you take" point of view way past its logical conclusion, past the ridiculous and right to the sublime. A soundtrack to a sculpture exhibition??? An entire massive back line of amps cast in salt and resin? OK. Over my head, but who cares.
Graphics are cool and I thought the shirt looked look like a cool post modern black flag photo negative tribute. But this is a band and they make records not shirts or sculptures-so how is the music? Fans of Grave-Temple and Burial Trio will enjoy this. Attila is in effect and of course recorded from a sealed coffin. But does the music even matter at this point? With each release they push the limit of commerce, art , and spectacle with music usually being discussed last or least. (Such as right here for example).
Southernlord of course is the home for this release.