The Wounded Kings – Consolamentum (2014)

With “the power of the riff” being in its highest moment, bands like Electric Wizard and Bongripper are killing it in festivals like Roadburn and Hammer of Doom. Under these circumstances comes The Wounded Kings, a UK outfit that delivers uncompromising Doom Metal with crunchy distortion and a very natural vibe. With “Consolamentum”, the band fourth full-length release, they are looking to consolidate themselves as one of the premiere bands of the genre.

Wasting no time, the release opens with the 13-minute monolithic “Gnosis” to give the listener a good idea of what the band is all about. With a hearty distortion and excellent pace, the band rips through endless punishing riffs nicely adorned by Sharie Neyland’s captivating vocals. Just imagine a more traditional Jex Thoth and you can picture what The Wounded Kings sound like, as they evidently display on the pummeling “Lost Bride”.

As the band demolishes tracks like “Elige Magistrum” and the album title track, we get some hints of bands like My Dying Bride and Candlemass thrown into the mix. One of the things we like the most about this release are the atmospheric passages in tracks like “Space Conqueror” and “Elige Magistrum” that help build up the tension and nicely change the flow of the release as they prepare to deliver crushing gigantic tracks (i.e. “The Silence” right after “Space Conqueror”).

Ending the release with “Sacrifice”, we are left wanting to hit the start button again almost immediately. In a world filled with bands trying too hard to sound the most ‘retro’ a.k.a authentic, there are other bands that just sound like this naturally like The Wounded Kings. Featuring tons of punishing riffs, tight drums, just the right amount of atmospheric elements, and a very charismatic vocalist, “Consolamentum” is one release you can’t miss this 2014

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Label: Candlelight Recordings

Release: February 25th, 2014

Genre: Doom Metal

Country: UK