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ROSARY
Telestai EP

Nine (2022)
Rating: 8/10

I played this doom metal EP to a mate of mind who immediately asked, “Is that Mike Patton singing?” I looked at him like he was a fool and responded, “Of course it isn’t!”. But after a few listens I can see where he was coming from. Rosary are a band from Warsaw in Poland who do have a singer in guitarist Misha Skullfukker that at times sounds like the mercurial Faith No More frontman, and in varying tones too whether it’s those squabbling squalls or the clear commands, and it makes for a rather engaging listen.

Musically, Rosary plays traditional doom; it’s solid, catchy and heavy but those vocals really do put an extra layer of the unorthodox on this five-track affair, and it’s all the better for it. Opening track ‘Demonic Doom’ is probably the most Patton-esque expression Misha offers as the drums of Marty Crossbearer thud effectively.

It’s the expected drudgery of Candlemass, St. Vitus, Pentagram and Black Sabbath but delivered with devilish and stormy aplomb. Hearing a guy wail maniacally over those trudging, rain-soaked riffs is quite the experience and that theme continues through to ‘Judgement From Above’, into the sinister plod of ‘Bogdan Arnold’, the Trouble-esque vibe of the title cut, and the mournfully dense ‘Old Photographs’.

Telestai is a nice little doom metal record that is stark but heavy and boasts an edge in that sneering vocal department. When the clock strikes the dark hour of 12 I’d suggest putting this one on because you can’t beat a bit of bellowing doom.

Neil Arnold

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