Review Summary: DOOOOOOM SMASHHHING IN HYRULE.....A TOWN FALLEN TO RUIN....FLESH CONSUMED BY THE RE-DEAD.....JOY TURNED TO SORROW. THE WALL MASTERS WILL SEND YOU INTO OBLIVION.
I'm running into the woods after a nefarious doom cult aggressively chased me out of the inn by the black lake. Apparently, I had offended the hosts by making a gregarious Cthulhu joke. Well, they didn't take too kindly to what I had to say because right when that happened they screamed bloody murder and chased me through the lush forest with scythes and torches while simultaneously casting spells on me. I ran down through the mountainous terrain hoping to escape, instead I tripped over and fell into a primordial graveyard which looked like a proper area for black magic ceremonies and heated orgies. I was badly hurt and alone. Soon I heard a ghastly howl coming from all sides it seemed. I didn't know what it was until I saw a horde of jackals emerging from the darkest crevices of the woods. Soon the jackals and their hooded druid masters cornered me into the pit of doom. I apologized but it was in vain, for I was to be doom smashed. The Druid's ordered their obedient pets to consume my flesh and soon I was dead.
I'm talking to you now because I was reborn as a bloodthirsty yet intellectual daemon of the night. I was made an honorary guard to the dark lord Cthulhu and granted the ability to shape-shift. I would love to tell you about the rebirth process. The lords gathered around into a circle, payed homage to the Swedish devil goddess Tunrida along with the Irish forest god Cernunnos and then proceeded to reanimate my half eaten corpse with a combination of doom metal and excessive wild blueberry juice consumption. The sounds responsible for my reemergence into this darkened world is a two track capsule entitled Forsaken Man. The wizards behind this musical madness are known only to their devoted legion as Pilgrim, a New York based epic doom metal band. It's apparent right away that Pilgrim don't *** around. Their sound is oppressive and unholy, recalling the doom greats of yesteryear with crushing riffs, suffocating atmosphere and dirge like rhythms that will make even Richard Simmons bow down and convert to the hypnotizing power of doom.
Forsaken Man is the first official release by these bearded young men. Coming in at two songs and sixteen minutes of material, Forsaken Man isn't really too difficult to digest in a short span. However, Pilgrim like to doom. And doom hard they do. Their sound is heavy, depressing and repetitive, complete with murky production and occult like paranoia. This isn't for faint of heart( fairies that long for violin solos, heartfelt keyboards and angelic female vocals). What an abomination. Pilgrim's sound is characterized by groovy riffs, lumbering passages and haunting clean vocals in the vein of the old guard. Pagan Altar, Sorcerer,Witchfinder General, etc. There is no originality to be found anywhere here but Pilgrim's relative simplicity and dedication to the tried and true formula is what keeps this band afloat. Lyrically, Pilgrim are influenced by the Zelda video games which adds a epic quality to the music. It makes you seem like your town suffered at the hands of time and what was once a flourishing community has slowly decayed into a decrepit ghost town of death and unrelenting darkness.
The vocals are performed in a lethargic, droning manner which should appeal to pretty much every classic doom head. There are a few screams and deep growls littered throughout but Forsaken Man is mostly concentrated with singing that sounds like it's being performed over a mile away in some decrepit manor. When coupled with the guitars it makes for a epic headbanging session. The rhythm section contributes to the madness with slow, repetitive percussion and a deep sounding bass tone that lends a foreboding quality. During the second track "Quest", Pilgrim decided to tantalize the taste-buds by breaking out of their slow monotonous romp to engage in a speed driven riff fest that will invoke all to doom smash their living room furniture.
Overall, this is a pretty cool showing by this young American doom outfit. The only complaint that could be made for this band is the lack of originality displayed, but whatever they lack in ambition is made up with talent, heart and dedication to the old doom smashing way. Old metalheads, doom aficionados, Zelda freaks, occult historians, and problematic celebrities like Owen Wilson should give this a spin. Doom well my friends.
