Coffin Joe
They've build a pyramid on the moon..
Please allow me to introduce myself, Im a man of wealth and taste, Ive been around for a long, long year, Stole many a mans soul and faith
I couldn't find a more fitting introduction to Shrinebuilders self-entitled album. The sheer talent involved, should make you fear for your soul and put your expectations skywards! Shrinebuilder is Scott Weinrich (Saint Vitus), Dale Crover (The Melvins), Scott Kelly (Neurosis) and Al Cisneros (Om). Each of these guys with their own devoted cult followers, and I bet, if they built an actual pyramid on the moon, they would have no problem filling it with worshippers!
Let's just get it out of the way, the album is freakin' fantastic! There, I said it! So if you where ever doubting whether to get it or not, you absolutely should- no questions asked.
Now for the actual review. Shrinebuilder is a complex and deep album, and somehow the 4 guys brought the best from each of their respective bands and made it work to perfection. The album points in so many directions without getting messy. It keeps focus all the way through & each musician brings their own unique style and distinct sound, that expands the soundscape.
The first track "Solar Benediction" is a dark psychedelic trip and a really strong opening for the album. It showcases the width this band has going in all kind of directions - it's like a satanspawn between Neurosis and Black Sabbath - dark, heavy and hauntingly beautiful.
"Pyramid Of The Moon" starts off slower. It has a really great sludgy vibe, and a heavy underlying bass lending it a 70's groove. The heavy Neurosis-sounding guitar rips through the dark soundcape adding to the intensity. The vocals goes from from mellow to something best described as chanting.
Third track "Blind For All To See" kicks off with a really groovy bass, and slowly builds in intensity. It's really stoned out, and I swear, I saw big heavy smoke coming out of my loudspeakers! You should kick you feet up to this one, and doze off to psychedelica-land- -but be warned, you might never come back!
"The Architect" screams old school heavy and the guitar sounds something from the magic fingers of Tony Iommy! But just when you have settled in, Scott Kellys voice cuts through like a razor. The Architect ends with a really tripped-out lone bass, that will send you flying to the stars.
All good things must come to an end, and Shrinebuilder ends their opus with "Science Of Anger" clocking in at 9:25. It's the grand culmination of this epic album, and have all the aforementioned elements bound tightly together in one hell of a kick, that will leave you begging for more! The Doors have their "The End" & Shrinebuilder has "Science of Anger" - Yes, it's that intense!
I have to tie a few words to the vinyl edition. Mixed at 45RPM this baby is so heavy sounding, I was afraid my record player would melt and the needle catch on fire! If you own a recordplayer, this is the version to aim for!