Artist:  Pilgrim
   Title: Misery Wizzard
   Label: Metal Blade Records  

This is the debut album for this three-piece doom metal band from Rhode Island, USA. After forming in 2010, they searched for what they considered ‘true doom metal’ and in this, have created their own homage to the sound that drove them into making music.

The songs, strangely, seem to get longer as the album progresses, from the near seven minute opener up to around twelve/thirteen minutes. Each song is in it’s own a story, and is used to showcase this trio’s talents. Some parts of this could also be referred to as stoner rock, given the slow, steady pace, like a doom metal turtle.

This steady, slow repetitive beat feels like it goes on forever, although this may be due to the length of the majority of the song. However its slow pace makes it easy to listen to and do other things around you, or could be perfect when drunk! Yet this repetitiveness also makes it boring, as there is the constant expectation of when the next song is going to start. A possible to look at for the next album is to keep the songs to the same/near length as the first track, so about six minutes instead of twelve or thirteen.

However, to keep this plodding momentum going requires consummate skill not only in your guitarists/bassist, but also in the drummer to be able to keep this pace going. And all of the instrumental are performed with skill, albeit at a slow pace. The vocals are infrequent and short throughout each of the songs, allowing the listener to focus more clearly on the instrumentals. This may seem a flaw at times but is an improvement on what the vocals could be – long, slow drawn out death rattles anyone?

A favourite song at the moment is, even with its length, 'Misery Wizard'. The focus of the drums and guitars is nice to hear when used to strong, fast strumming and fast lyrics. The relative calm of these songs also allows them as more of a chill-out/cool-down and so would be perfect when exercising, as your mind can switch off and not pay attention except to the relentless drum.

Review by: Kerry H

1. Astaroth
2. Misery Wizard
3. Quest
4. Master Of The Sky
5. Adventurer
6. Forsaken Man

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