Doom and sludge is the essence of Vulgaari, but dust that up with touches of death metal and heavy psych and you've got the idea. There is something about this band's songwriting that elevates the tracks above the usual and makes them more memorable than the run of the mill sludge filling the racks these days. The heaviness is omnipresent and warm, thick riffs wash over you like a wave of cement with the opening salvo of "A World Created". Lots of down-tuned bassiness on display here and the death metal influence comes with the roaring vocals that are pushed to the back of the mix.
I kept looking for a weakness and couldn't find one. "Battlestag" ups the tempo with a more war-like feel, but we really see how Vulgaari mixes things up with "Match". This is syrupy slow and depressing music where melodic twin guitar harmonies add an even mournful feel. Almost like a mixture of rough Southern doom and My Dying Bride melody. "Black Mountain" is the most standard sludge track of the album but still no slacker, while "Lie" starts with what sounds like an Australian didgeridoo and Orson Welles chanting a curse before launching into lurching, heaving heaviness that will bring you to your knees! Great track...like Zoroaster, only heavier!
That's not the end. "77 74" starts with the mother of all bass tones, a little bit of melody and then skull smashing doom riffing with a kind of outlaw biker feel. "Outride The Reaper" has some psychedelic overtones and the best riff on an album full of great ones. This shit is off the hook! "Forever Roam" bleeds in with a distorted, almost washed out sound that has a cosmic feel. This is a total doom monster, but with touches of melody and even bluesiness that make it more than just another bone crusher. This album finally comes to an end with the most psychedelic and bluesy cut, one that eases up slightly on the relentless heaviness but makes your head swim with trippy guitar.
I don't know what else Cubo de Sangre has in store, but if it's even half as good as Vulgaari, I'll be waiting with drooling anticipation!
Words: Dr. Mality (Wormwood Chronicles)
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