THOU
– Heathen
Genre:
Doom Metal
Labels:
Gilead Media (CD), Howling Mine (LP for US), Vendetta Records (LP for
Europe), Robotic Empire (Cassette and iTunes)
Rating:
9/10
Thou
have long been one of my favourite doom bands, especially of those
with distorted vocals. Heathen
was much anticipated, and it does not disappoint; at 74:36 in length,
there's a lot of bang for your buck. Having seen them live once (at
the Portland, ME, show where they were direct support for Wolves in
the Throne Room... of whom I have nothing good to say after that
night), I can say that their gravitas, and proficiency at delivering
a great show usually ending in a cover is not to be missed if
possible.
The
production is perfect on this album; the vocals sound horrifyingly
painful, the low-end is devastating, the Gibson tone through the 5150
gives me the kills, as a fellow guitarist. The lyrics are also great.
What's more is that, like virtually all of Thou's releases, this one
is up for download for free off of their website. If, like me, you're
waiting for the vinyl and you're located in North America, there have
been numerous problems on the pressing plant's side: according to
Andy, it is so bad that Thou will never use this plant again. It will
be worth the wait, I am sure.
In
“Free Will,” the whole (14:44 minute) song really catches inside
the listener's head; however, my favourite part kicks in at 7:58. “We
are the stone that starts the avalanche. We are the cough that
spreads the plague. We are the spark that lights the inferno.”
reads the chorus. Just try
not to scream along. “Dawn (Interlude 1)” is a short, acoustic
interlude that is surprisingly bright but ends nice and low. “Feral
Faun,” like “Free Will,” starts off relatively light, this time
with clean guitars; at 2:20 the distorted guitars come in. The drum
rhythm really shines in this song. “Into the Marshland” is a
heavy-hitter. The chorus has an infectious drum and guitar rhythm,
and absolutely plumbs the depths of their F# tuning. “At the Foot
of Mount Driskill” starts off rather soft, and the vocals are
actually a little too much too soon, in my opinion: not neough to
detract any points from the album's rating, but I mention it to see
what others have to say. This song is most reminiscent of “Summit”
to me... until the crushing guitar section around the 3:45 mark. This
song goes on to be 11:21 long, but never bores. Every riff makes
sense; at the midway point it goes off on a diversion, but then comes
full circle. Listen and find out.
“In
Defiance of the Sages” is one of my favourites from this album. It
starts off heavy,
with a steady rhythm, and a low, addictive riff, dissonance abound.
In fact, this song is one big punch in the face, with a huge fist of
chunky, abyss-dwelling riffage. “Take off Your Skin and Dance in
Your Bones (Interlude 4)” is delay-laden clean guitar, or clean as
a Peavey 5150 goes. “Immorality Dictates” starts off with very
distant-sounding guitar, with some lightly distorted drones over it.
Eventually, normally audible clean guitar kicks in, with feminine,
clean vocals over the guitars; it's very different for Thou, but it
somehow fits. These guys are masters of their craft, truly. The
distorted riff that comes after all of that is reminiscent of older
stuff, such as their split with Leech, riffage the listener can bang
his or her head to, and it sort of makes said listener want to
destroy stuff (or people). Finally, we reach the terminal song, “Ode
to Physical Pain.” Again with the distant guitars, with some delay
and volume swells following piano. Then, of course, distorted guitar.
At 3:02 comes an absolutely hooky riff that will stay in your head
for some time. That is, if the rest of the song doesn't supplant that
section in your memory.
Thou
has achieved something special with Heathen.
I think it may be their best album. Instrumentally speaking, there's
no question it's their best. I just don't know if it's better than
what I previously regarded as their best album, Tyrant,
and my personal favourite release of theirs will always be the
Thou/Leech split. It is rather a great progression for them since
their simple doom days, but they still retain their violence. That's
a great and rare thing to see, and why I think it necessitates such a
high score. Bravo, Thou.
P.S. As far as I am aware, Gilead will also carry copies of the vinyl release.
Robotic Empire, where, if you like, you can also get the Nirvana tribute LP that Thou contributed to.
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