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DEVILSOME
Devilsome EP

Self-released (2023)
Rating: 8/10

As the mists caress the hills of Newry in Northern Ireland, a black cloud appears in the distance to signal the arrival of doomsters Devilsome. The cult is formed of Garth Kidd (vocals and bass), John McSherry (guitar) and Gama Bomb’s Joe McGuigan (guitar), and the music they concoct is a heady mix of doom metal and Goth rock led by Kidd’s gravelly vocal commands.

This is simplistic dark rock that runs for half an hour, consisting of seven tracks which includes a very interesting and ghoulish cover of The Zombies classic ‘Time Of The Season’. It could be said that the band also incorporates a slightly “stoner” vibe into their occult stance, but this release really does work well with each member being a commanding presence.

There is an almost drunken and reckless bellow to Kidd’s voice which works in wild tandem with his monolithic bass, while the guitars provide a vintage doom wall of black stone particularly on the colossal slog of ‘Morning Star’. However, this is no limited retrograde doom archetype, Devilsome conjure several surprises upon their altar.

Opener ‘Children Of The Night’ comes with gurgling bass and spooky organ but then unravels as a heavyweight Fields Of The Nephilim-styled chugger. It’s really infectious yet brooding material. ‘7th Seal’ follows with a Gothic bounce, almost with a Fuzztones vibe. And that’s the theme here, garagey, quintessentially British rain-soaked storm rock with doom metal lacing, although ‘Charge Of The Nephilim’ channels the spectral punk of The Damned with its raucous behaviour.

Closer ‘The Witches Of Pendle Hill’ once again showcases the stormy trudge of this intriguing band, a clan that has enticed me into their cave and put me under a spell I don’t want to break. Check out their Bandcamp page and support them or be cursed forever.

Neil Arnold

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