RSS Feed


ARCHDRUID
Demo (2021)

Not to be confused with their fellow U.S. doomsters with the same name from Nashville, this particular act hails from New Hampshire with a line-up consisting of vocalist Emily Sordid Waltz, guitarists Brandon Ward and Hammerskull, bass player Chris Nichols, and drummer Dylan “Decay” Kramer.

This demo is the band’s debut release and it certainly makes an impact from the off. The opening strains of ‘The Forging’ nod with psychedelic aplomb as the quintet lumbers with distorted lethargy for two minutes before breaking into ‘Wayland The Smith’ – a track that starts out with ominous feedback and a snappy vocal style I did not expect.

With so many female-fronted doom bands doing the rounds I admit to expecting something familiar sounding, but no. While the music plods with weight, Emily Sordid Waltz narrates and, dare I say it, almost raps her spits. It’s so refreshing to hear such versatility within the doom metal framework, as the leads swirl mournfully, the bass bubbles infectiously and the drums cracks bones.

‘Black Riders’ closes the demo, and here Archdruid ups the pace a tad to a foot-tapping groove with more distortion. Emily expresses further versatility, her style certainly unusual as she wails into the zenith like a cursing witch feuding with the leaden sky. It’s essentially straight up doom, but with cool, fuzzed up 70s nostalgia and a sprig of the band’s own style.

It is a shame that sandwiched in between ‘Wayland The Smith’ and ‘Black Riders’ is ‘Spirit Of Albion’, a rendition of the Damh The Bard tune. While the band cover it well I’d rather have heard another original Archdruid song, but the drums build nicely and the guitars flit in nice melodic metal fashion.

I really do hope that the guys can get a full-length release out soon, because the doom metal genre needs an injection of bands like this who offer different flavours from the usual weed-soaked bearded wizard music that’s been clogging the arteries for too long.

So, Archdruid is my new favourite band, offering slow yet inventive doom metal for the traditionalist and yet more kaleidoscopic vintage ingredients for those seeking something extra in a tired genre.

For those interested, the demo is available now from Bandcamp.

Neil Arnold

<< Back to Demo Reviews
Share