Seven Sisters Of Sleep? More like Bad Ass Bros Of Nightmares. The last couple of years have seen a lot of activity from SSOS. First there was the Self Titled full length that grabbed a lot of attention followed by the much improved split with Children Of God. This year they are back again with a Self Titled (again?) EP and apparently another full length later this year.
The material on the split with Children Of God showed a slight maturation in the sound of SSOS. The band hit the brakes and skid. The songs got slower and longer, but it was all for the better. On these three tracks they are back to the same tricks and getting better as they go along.
"Sundown" starts the record off with a flashback to the (other?) Self Titled record. While still viciously plodding, the band slams into a chaotic and surprising forty seconds that demands your attention before breaking back into their usual doomy formula. "High Priest" comes trudging along on the second track led by fucking heavy riffs. There is a pick up in the pace for a brief moment, but like the tracks from the split this sounds like Integrity at their slowest with a stoner riff thrown in as the track closes out. "High Priest" is also where the vocals make a shift into more guttural death metal style that wasn't touched on with the last couple releases.
SSOS saved their best track for last with "Slower Downer." This song is five heavy minutes of Sabbath on steroids riffs of doom. Maybe it is because Whale Wars is on right now, but I just keep thinking of this as Whale murder music.
Also included in this 7 inch is a bonus CD featuring these tracks and the 3 from the split with Children Of God. So if you haven't heard Seven Sisters Of Sleep yet this will be a great place to start.
Staff Rating
3.75/5
User Rating
5/5
