Heavy Temple are back with more psychedelic goodness on their latest record, Garden of the Pagans, out this friday away Magnetic Eye Records.
The Philadelphia doom group did something really commendable and completely avoided the fall of the sophomore, and at a time when the particular brand of music they play is not exactly in trend. The big scene trend right now seems to be death metal, but Heavy Temple are here to prove that psych doom is still alive and well.
They also make a bold move in that this disc is still heavy and fuzzy, but also explores and experiments a little. This is still a direct psychological fatality, but it is not the fear of becoming strange.
The album kicks off with heavy, distorted opener “Extreme Indifference To Life” which immediately sets the tone that this will always be the fuzzy doom cult we know and love, but without pulling any punches. Next up is one of the band’s singles ‘Hiraeth’, which is drenched in grooves and reverb vocals.
As the album continues, it’s clear that this is a record that isn’t afraid to rock hard, but keeps things interesting from track to track. It develops into a classic as well as an antique masterpiece Saturday records where there is a theme throughout, but still a lot of nuance between the songs.
“House Of Warship”, my favorite song on the album, is probably the heaviest, almost verging on fatal death in moments. “Snake Oil And Other Remedies” is a lot of fun, as with all God Doom records, it provides the atmospheric moment of long-overdue doom we all live for on records like this. It’s the perfect breather between songs.
There really isn’t a dull moment on the album, and with many more rock ‘n’ roll-heavy compositions, it’s meant to be played front to back. Another standout moment is “Jesus Wept”, the album’s epic stoner rock ballad with some seriously heavy riffs. And speaking of riffs, “Psychomanteum” is the song that showcases the most relentless guitar prowess.
Garden of the Pagans still manages to deliver the heavy hits and catchiness we’ve come to expect from Heavy Temple while also dealing with some variations in form and a few surprises along the way. This is a must-listen for doom fans of all kinds.
Heavy Temple Garden of the Pagans will be available this Friday, April 12, via Magnetic Eye Records. Pre-order your copy today.
