Self-proclaimed ‘pop’ doomers WALL have accomplished what few bands can on their first major release: a heavy, tuned-down brutalness laced with astounding guitarwork and Sabbath-esque vocals that steer each song between the divine and the hellish. Hailing from Cologne, Germany, WALL are not afraid to keep the listener guessing what catchy, but wholly crushing, riff will come next in this collection of hybrid doom that demands repeat listens. Embracing the more melodic aspects of metal that are often forgotten these days in exchange for fierce, lashing vocals that split the air like gunfire, WALL have channeled the spacy and classic rock influences of their pasts and driven forward without looking back. In between fits of static feedback sit epic solos and deafening chords that seem to never end, but, with such passion pushing each track, who needs them to?
If nothing else, let’s respect the fact that WALL opens the album with an epic Back To The Future sample. Because let’s face it, if you don’t like BTTF, you can’t can just get the hell out.
You can grab the album on vinyl over at This Charming Man Records.