In my opinion Doom/Stoner/Sludge scene is the most interesting music scene, not only around Metal, but also around the whole Rock & Roll panorama because it is the only one that honors that certain kind of music which tries to reach some unedited and revolutionary sound solutions, even if it is not under the spotlights of showbiz and it is proudly underground instead. In this dark era of social and artistic flattening, it is not a trivial matter.

Thronehammer is a supergroup formed between UK and Germany, which unites three creative Metal personalities: the volcanic singer Kat Shevil Gillham (former Blessed Realm's voice, even involved with Winds of Genocide and with Uncoffined as drummer), the guitarist and keyboardist Stuart West (from Obelyskhh and The Walruz) and multi-instrumentalist Tim Schmidt (from Seamount and Naked Star).

Thronehammer's genre is epic doom metal with sludge cadences, full of melody and innovative arrangements. In fact, their textures have many different well-mixed influences. "Usurper of the Oaken Throne" is their first full-lenght album, coming after a split 10" with Lord of Solitude.

Introduced by cold synth notes, "Behind the walls of frost" opens the record as a colossal sound trip dominated by double guitar/organ riffs: Kat's haunting but melodic vocals are in evidence (there are some growl lines too). After a dark interlude, the second part develops into epic paths with a melodic sound in the foreground.

"Conquered and erased" is a battle warlike story. Musically it is a slow visionary ride that reveals the introspective side of the band: the usual mix of boulder-riffs (that reminds me a bit of early Spleep, Black Sabbath's most obscure tracks and Bathory's epic era) and hypnotic vocals are now more expanded. Thronehammer's talent is evident in that sound plot, which does not sacrifice lyricism even when the song structure is largely dilated.

"Warhorn" is one of my favourite songs and it is a trademark of the trio. In fact West's super heavy riffs (and perfect rhythm cadences by Schmidt) are fused together with a melodic and melancholic cantata. Practically it is a great example of song-writing: a twenty-minute track that captures attention without a second distraction (this is another prestigious distinguishing element of Thronehammer). In this mini-suite anything goes: there is room even for two acoustic interludes, for an unexpected grand finale that kind of recalls NWOBHM's flavour (Kat gives a further proof of her great vocal power, overcoming herself) and also for some obsessive and intimate ambient synths (with a sort of psychedelic touch), that dig lines in the second part. It is the definitive doom metal song!

Then comes "Svarte skyer", the shortest track of the album; the music level is still very high. Kat's melodies – doubled by guitar riffs – get immediately stuck in your head (and probably they will just stay there).

"Thronehammer" is in a certain way the trio's manifest: a rugged war machine that overwhelms the listener with its gloomy slowness.

The title track closes the record with its doom mood, leaving no escape: the sound is sinister and chilling, dominated by a killer riff that digs into human soul's deepest abysses. Vocals do the rest – being obscure and epic at the same time. The second part of the song – from the sixth minute on – is heading even deeper inside frightening and mysterious, dark sounds (there are some growl vocals and a majestic, scary organ in the background).

Thronehammer's work is excellent: an extreme record, without doubts, but not in the way we are used to!

The band worked really hard and it is evident while listening to the result: nothing is left to chance in those eighty minutes of recordings. In fact Thronehammer never lose sight of song-writing quality and never become boring: a difficult task that the band achieved with unique personality and originality. I still have thrills after listening to the record: "Usurper of the Oaken Throne" is a sonic trip that strongly hits the listener.

This album is highly recommended to anyone who is searching for the deepest, doomiest riffs in the Metal scene but for the ones who like a certain kind of atmosphere in extreme music too. Anyway I am sure that fans of 70's dark sounds may be interested in these tracks, because Thronehammer got many different souls cohabiting in their music. Song after song, it is easy to find out something new in their magmatic sound.

New lifeblood for Doom Metal: support Thronehammer!

The album is coming out for Church Records on May 5th, but a limited edition on vinyl has been planned.

Francesco Lenzi