Review Summary: Better than The Great Heathen Army.
Earthbound is an album that combines catchy, dirty chugs from sludge metal and depressed, end of time sun slammers from doom metal. Earthbound doesn’t drag its heel like some doom metal records, it’s mindlessly fun with rockin’ riffs, and foot tappin’ beats. Straight and true growls are showcased, with a deep tone reminiscent of Amorphis perhaps. There’s no beating around the bush here, every riff is immediate and presented as the focus. Black Royal seem obsessed with their heavy sound, there isn’t much divergence, and I don’t blame them.
Somber, angel crying riffs are lesser here, but it doesn’t hinder the overall picture. The vibe is still intimidatingly skull cracking, at the pace of a vehicle unexpectedly taken over by spirits - you might say the heaviness is
haunting. Unlike my vivid depictions, Earthbound seems a little too safe, with its refusal to saturate itself too heavily in doom or sludge mud. Or you might say it’s the perfect middle ground, and a good ol’ time. Whatever the case, Earthbound made a successful impact on me, and the growls are fantastic. Congratulations are in order and so is a love letter:
My dearest Black Royal,
Your riffs are like peanut butter, so thick and delicious. I remember encountering them on Monday and realizing how excited I was. Your song Law of Nature is an absolute God send, and I added it to my playlist directly after I encountered it, and it slaps so ***ing hard, ***balls man, the ***’s ***ing madness! Anywho, I hope all is going well for you because your new album slaps my ass off. Good day sirs, and many thanks for your unstoppable patronage!
Sincerely,
pizzamachine.
