It’s been a full eight years since Indianapolis Sludge Doom horde Veilcaste unveiled their debut album, ‘Old World Ritual’. Now though the band have returned with sophomoric offering ‘Precipice’ which has been packaged as both a CD and LP release through the ever-impressive label Wise Blood Records.
Straight away Veilcaste hit into action with a satisfyingly groove drenched rolling style of riffs that instantly brings to mind the work of UK Doom lords Conan. Whereas Conan rely on the fury and oppressive build up of their riffs, Veilcaste branch out with more melodic guitar leads whilst keeping up the cloying heaviness through a persistent rumble of bass thunder and a sturdy, booming clamour from behind the kit.
A couple of other things I like about Veilcaste is their willingness to incorporate various styles into the mix, and the overall gruff, rough-edged vocal work on display from Dustin Mendel. For example, during ‘Dust & Bone’ the vocals veer from their standard grating monologue to include both a far heavier, roaring tone as well as an almost spoken word style that carries over into the next track, ‘Drag Me Down’. During this track I found that the vocals took on another element; one of unsettling, brooding anger that bubbles away just below the surface.
That last metaphor could be used for the guitar work also. Throughout the entire album the riffs just gurgle along, roaming steadily forward at their own pace whilst offshoots of guitar melody and rhythm break out on their own to add texture and depth to the albums overall sound. And this overall heaviness is mirrored in the gripping lyrical performance which for me peaks with the previously mentioned ‘Drag Me Down’, and the oddly hypnotic grooves of ‘For Us’.
As a whole entity, ‘Precipice’ is a very monotone album in terms of pace. Yet that never becomes an issue as the perpetual rolling and grinding sound is thoroughly enjoyable, and the vocalist keeps you engaged throughout. Hopefully Veilcaste won’t leave it another eight years before furnishing us with another full length offering.
(7.5/10 Marksson)
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