Druids – Shadow Work
Release Date: 3rd June 2022
Label: Pelagic Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Psychedelic Stoner, Doom.
FFO: Mastodon, Om, Baroness.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Shadow Work is the 4th album by Iowa band Druids, and it is as fine slab of psychedelic stoner infused doom metal that you will find this year. Interestingly, this album sees a subtle change in the band sound, with the band employing various tools to create the more psychedelic ambience that permeates throughout the 8 tracks.
There are numerous standouts on Shadow Work, 2nd track ‘Path to R’ is the yang to the opener’s yin. Where the ‘Aether’ doesn’t really grab you, it is the 2nd track that introduces you to the album and sets the tone and ultimately, the standards of the album. This is immediately backed up by the immense ‘Ides Koan,’ a song that literally dribbles groove from its doom-laden pores. It is, by a long way, the best song on an album that does not disappoint. Check out the link to hear for yourself.
Perhaps, ‘doesn’t disappoint’ is a slight stretch. Whilst there is nothing about Shadow Work that will upset you, or make you skip a track, it never really recovers from the strength of the 3rd song. Yes, there are moments in the remaining songs that will resonate, make you flash the horns, nod the head, air drum like a muppet, but ‘Ides Koan’ is such a strong song. Personally, I would close the album with it, but then I am not a musician.
To be fair, Druids set an incredibly high bar with that song that it is, perhaps, unfair to be critical of the remaining tracks. ‘Hide’ has an incredible vocal performance, supported by a sound that would call you a liar if you said it was from a trio. In fact, as I listen to the album whilst writing the review, aspects of the album continue to make themselves known. The bass in ‘Dance of Skulls’ batters your fragile skull, making itself a nuisance is the best possible of ways.
Although ‘Ides Koan’ would have made a superb closing track, it shouldn’t denigrate from the majesty of the actual closer, ‘Cloak-Noir Bloom’, which is essentially the best of the remaining tracks on the album. Multi-faceted, with layers of contextualisation, it leads you to believe it is ending after a mere 3 and ½ minutes. But it gets better – so much better, with a progressive feel that is reminiscent of, dare I say it, Fleetwood Mac.
Shadow Work is an album by a band who have realised who they are. Demonstrating growth from their earlier releases, Druids have hit the sweetest of spots with album number 4. It is easily their finest hour, well 50 minute-ish.
(4 / 5)
