Shrinebuilder - Shrinebuilder

December 2, 2009

Reviewer: Matt

Shrinebuilder is a doom metal supergroup featuring Scott “Wino” Weinrich (Saint Vitus, The Obsessed), Scott Kelly (Neurosis), Al Cisneros (Om, Sleep), and Dale Crover (Melvins).  With a lineup of veritable legends, it’s hardly a wonder Shrinebuilder is such an excellent release.

Mammoth, swampy riffs are the clear focus of the album.  Shrinebuilder is heavy and hazy, loaded with groove and thick with atmospheric guitar effects and subtly layered keyboards.  Songs develop slowly, and while the songs are heavy as hell, they’re less interested in bludgeoning the listener than in creating a meditative atmosphere.

Kelly handles most of the vocal duties with his immediately identifiable gravel-throated roar, with Wino and Cisneros occasional appearances in the more contemplative moments.  If one complaint is appropriate, it’s that the short run time and the ability of the songs to wrap themselves around your brain mean that the album is over entirely too soon.  But there’s no shortage of killer leads and memorable hooks, and the unparalleled headbangability of Shrinebuilder should earn it a spot at the top of any stoner/doom fanatic’s most-wanted list.

Particular praise goes out to the rhythm section.  A spectacular production renders pulsating, groovy bass in speaker-rattling heaviness and spacious and dynamic drumming a thunderous blast to the eardrums.  “Blind for All to See” shows the Cisneros and Crover in full glory, swirling momentum around sparse guitar licks and moody vocals.  Simply stated, Shrinebuilder is one of the best performances from a rhythm section I’ve heard in some time.

Anyone with even a modest interest stoner, doom, or any of these artists’ other projects should thoroughly enjoy Shrinebuilder.  It’s a fine effort from some of metal’s most reliable artists. 

Release Date: October 20th, 2009
Label: Neurot Recordings

TRACK LISTING

1.  Solar Benediction
2.  Pyramid of the Moon
3.  Blind for All to See
4.  The Architect
5.  Science of Anger

Total playing time: 39:07

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