Something is stirring once again in the darkness to strike terror in the world. Something loud, evil and ready for war. Inhale the vapours as we welcome back Goblinsmoker for another blistering attack on the ears of mankind. Hailing from theDurham in the North of England, Goblinsmoker have been making waves in the underground scene for some time, selling out physical copies of their debut release in a ridiculously short time. Now they have returned with their new EP, A Throne In Haze, A World Ablaze!
For the uninitiated, A Throne In Haze, A World Ablaze is the second part of Goblinsmoker’s planned trilogy of the saga of the Toad King. Do not let the fact that this is a three track EP fool you. At a shade under thirty minutes it is a monstrous slab of disgustingly dark noise. It’s a glorious blending of riff-worshiping doom metal intertwined with huge swathes of black metal vocals and atmospherics, creating a noise that sounds utterly evil. The atmospherics on display are tremendous. Through the right speakers you can almost feel the thick smoke billowing and coiling through caverns deep underground and almost see the long shadows cast by burning torches. The musicianship on display is extraordinary, savage guitar lines tear along with inhuman shrieking, backed up by a rhythm section with the sounds and impact of mountains coming down.
If anyone is struggling with the story-line, it’s no less daft than some of the elements of Game of Thrones or any other number of novels or shows; it’s fantasy, pure and simple. If you are still not managing then just shut off the logical part of your brain and let the cascade of monumentally heavy riffing pummel you into submission. All hail the Toad King!
A Throne In Haze, A World Ablaze is out now via Sludgelord Records and can be purchased here.
Words: Nathan Tyler
