(11/11/22) Episode 449 is SAINT VITUS. Like other pioneers of doom metal, they set out to recreate the sound and ethos of Black Sabbath, cutting against trends of the mid-80s. With the instruments, Saint Vitus succeeds valiantly, led by the guitar in an Iommi-style low and slow grind.  But the vocal style puts me off a bit, too up front in the mix, too operatic at times.

Favorite album: Born Too Late

Favorite song: Dying Inside

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: kinda meh on results, although I give them an A for effort

(September 2022) Episode 435 is CANDLEMASS, a pioneer of the doom metal genre. But not my preferred flavor of doom metal; I find the operatic NWOBHM-style singing discordant with the low and heavy guitar approach. That’s why my favorite album (From the 13^th Sun) is an outlier from their typical sound, more stoner and sludgy, but not surprising since they dedicated it to Black Sabbath.  Still, there are some good metal tracks elsewhere, although frequent lineup changes reduce consistency.

Favorite album: From the 13^th Sun

Favorite song: Zog

Best album: Epicus Doomicus Metallicus

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: give them a try; your tastes may not be as finicky as mine

(June 2022) Episode 420 of the “opus project” is TROUBLE. While most 80s metalheads were either accelerating into thrash or blowing out their hair to sing anthems, these guys looked back to the roots of metal. Trouble’s first two albums are as close to Black Sabbath’s heavy sound as you’ll find, particularly Tommy Iommi’s drop-tuned tone. These made Trouble a pioneer of “doom metal.” Their subsequent albums, amidst lineup changes, had more conventional and groove metal approaches, but it’s still not bad.

Favorite album: Psalm 9

Favorite song: Revelation (Life or Death)

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: If you like early Sabbath, you’ll like Trouble