EP Assessment: TOMBS Ex Oblivion
Tombs represents what Brooklyn was once, not so way back. That is the borough that spawned some unbelievable music from those that rose up by working their ass off. Reticent of the the tough and gritty Downtown space rife with the stench of stale Parliament cigarettes is the Tombs origin story. Right here, mainman Mike Hill simply by no means stopped working and by no means stopped expressing himself by means of his artwork. As such, whereas Tombs prepares for the subsequent chapter of their storied historical past, they current us with an EP that undoubtedly embodies the Tombs ethic and ethos. Ex Oblivion is a blue collar banger for a blue collar viewers.
Let’s begin with the opening monitor. There may be an unmistakable resemblance to Celtic Frost in “Ex Oblivion,” with Hill channeling the good Tom G. Warrior in each his voice and cadence. Bassist Drew Murphy offers the monitor a hefty further dose of oomph with a completely banging bassline that has simply the right quantity of punch on it. There is a little bit of goth right here, maybe a contact of Sisters of Mercy, and it is nested in a transparent post-metal undercurrent. It is a actually tight composition that actually captures the essence of the band. By the best way, the combination and the general manufacturing on this monitor is one thing particular.
“Killed By Loss of life” is a canopy of the Motörhead basic. You would possibly keep in mind the video from the early days of MTV. When you do not keep in mind it, otherwise you weren’t alive in 1984, you undoubtedly need to test it out. Whereas even the previous episodes of Stranger Issues cannot take us completely again in time, this video jogs my memory of this most superb decade. It additionally, is maybe, one of many Motörhead‘s biggest inventive masterpieces and the video has just a little little bit of every little thing. If I had a time machine, I might be again there in heartbeat. Additionally, Sort O Unfavorable followers, take a look at the scene that begins at 3:13. You would possibly see a really acquainted shot.
Tombs‘ tackle this music is a bit darker however nonetheless accommodates a hearty dose of swagger, an enormous backside finish and simply the right contact of up to date sounding guitars. On the whole, it stays fairly near the unique however has an accessibility for at this time’s youthful audiences who, sadly, weren’t round within the gloriousness of 1984.
“Commit Suicide” like “Killed by Loss of life” is a canopy that does not stray too far-off from the unique. “Commit Suicide” was initially recorded by GG Allin on the basic FFD&J file from 1988. Hill‘s voice is a bit distant within the combine, which is suitable given the unique and the truth that GG‘s voice was getting extraordinarily raspy within the late 80’s as substances and poor well being took their toll on his vocals. What is going to stick out, after all, is the manufacturing on this cowl which is method above the unique. This is able to be an ideal tune for Tombs to play reside. We definitely, nonetheless, might do with none extra-curricular actions that contain bananas.
The EP additionally accommodates two extra atmospheric tracks to shut it out, considered one of which was composed in tandem with Dwid Hellion of Integrity.
General, this can be a stable launch and one thing nice to carry us throughout till we get the subsequent Tombs LP. When you failed to take a look at Beneath Sullen Skies, which got here out in 2020 (a really sullen 12 months), it actually is sort of good. With a robust nod to Lemmy Kilmister, Tombs is a tough working band and so they carry on chugging alongside churning out some stellar rock and roll that reminds us of the best way we as soon as have been.