They wowed at Bloodstock, and by all s have been causing a stir for some time, but I’ll it that I’m coming to SpiritWorld with curiosity about the hype but little real knowledge apart from the fact that the band is the brainchild of singer and multi-instrumentalist Stu Folsom. Lauded by the likes of Radio One’s Daniel P Carter, Gary Holt and Max Cavalera, Folsom burst through in 2020 with debut album Pagan Rhythms, described by Kerrang! as “A soundtrack combining galloping thrash, pummelling hardcore, swinging rock n roll and lyrical preoccupations with the American frontier and Native American mythology”.
Deathwestern continues the apocalyptic horror Western vision that Flosom first translated into his collection of horror western stories, Godlessness. The concepts are set, the themes back in play. New characters emerge and as Folsom says, it will complete the “massive multi-medium concept” he’s been consumed by for the past few years.
It’s impossible to avoid the Slayer comparisons which run deep through the album, albeit with the groove of Pantera and the hardcore stomp that were also present on Pagan Rhythms. It’s a vicious, brutish release, hitting hard and fast with the 11 songs clocking in at a mere 36 minutes. The thrashing riffage is huge, but the roots of punk that run deep in Folsom’s catalogue and heritage are present throughout. It’s a piledriving start, with the Western intro of “Mojave Bloodlust” giving way to the punishing title track that kicks in the door and refuses to leave.
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After that, it’s mayhem all the way, with chunks of old school thrash combining with the other influences. The Power Trip feel of “Relic of Damnation” and “Purified in Violence” are early assaults on the listening gear. The vocals are angry, aggressive, jagged. The riffs punchy and challenging.
There’s a cinematic feel to the intro of “Committee of Buzzards”, which punches with real venom. The drumming is relentless, powerful and benefiting from the tracking provided by Thomas Pridgen (Mars Volta, Trash Talk). At times the music is wild, feral, and almost animalistic in its delivery. At other times, such as the start of “The Heretic Butcher”, it changes feel and tempo completely. It’s savage, nasty, and quite compelling although if you aren’t a fan of the vocals, then it’s unlikely to appeal too much.
With plenty to unwrap, this is an album that combines creativity with brutality. If you want your metal with a back story of rogues, gunslingers and the like, then this is likely to be right up your street. It’s certainly well worth spending the time.
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Deathwestern is out on November 25th
Header image by Matt Schrum
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