LASER DRACUL – Hin Håle Blues

Blues metal is not an element we encounter particularly often, especially within doom metal. On "Hin Håle Blues", LASER DRACUL bring together the weighty riff structures of traditional doom with blues influences, psychedelic textures and occult themes, while also demonstrating a clear development in their songwriting. Following 2020's "Hagridden", this release from the Swedish quartet hailing from Borlänge takes a darker, more metal-oriented and heavier direction than the blues and psychedelic rock-driven character of their earlier material. This shift is particularly evident in the fuller arrangements afforded by the addition of a second guitar and the increased weight of the riffs.

Opening track 'Our King Is Forever' establishes its occult atmosphere with sounds resembling footsteps echoing across a stone floor and indistinct whispers. The heavy, gritty guitar tone that follows reinforces the song's deliberate pace, while the use of layered vocals with a ritualistic quality accentuates its unsettling character. Repeated guitar motifs and the increasingly prominent bass give the composition a hypnotic flow. Crucially, the atmosphere never overshadows the riffs; instead, it gives greater meaning to the weight generated by the guitars and rhythm section.

'Bringer Of Light' and 'The End Of Time' offer a clearer picture of the band's traditional doom metal leanings. On the former, a prominent bass line combines with the guitars' muffled, compressed tone to create a claustrophobic soundscape. The reverb applied to the vocals further reinforces this sense of distance. Harsh, dark vocal passages interspersed with the predominantly clean vocal approach are another important detail that strengthens the music's occult character. 'The End Of Time', meanwhile, reveals a more expansive compositional approach from its bass-led opening onwards. The gradual entrance of the guitars, melodic drum passages and subtle organ touches in the background allow the song to stretch beyond the boundaries of classic doom through its psychedelic atmosphere. A brief guitar solo and a moment of restraint during the bridge also prevent the composition from becoming an exercise in monotonous heaviness.

The influence of BLACK SABBATH becomes particularly apparent on tracks such as 'Walking The Left Hand Path'. The relationship between the heavy, repetitive riffs and the bass guitar makes the band's allegiance to classic doom traditions unmistakable. Nevertheless, LASER DRACUL are not content with simply reproducing Sabbath-inspired formulas. The fuller harmonic arrangements that emerge when the second guitar comes into play broaden the dynamics of the songs. The fuzz- and distortion-heavy guitar tone gives the blues-rooted melodic approach a harder edge, while the psychedelic passages prevent the music from becoming confined to traditional territory. Comparisons with ELECTRIC WIZARD are most apparent in the murky guitar tones, slow-moving riffs and occult doom aesthetic. Even so, LASER DRACUL's blues-based sense of groove helps them establish an identity that extends beyond these similarities.

'Bringer Of Light', 'Walking The Left Hand Path' and 'Hornæus' stand out as tracks that represent different facets of the album's dark and heavy character. The rhythm section, in particular, does more than simply reinforce the density created by the guitars; the slow, deliberate interplay between bass and drums adds further weight to the riffs. The band's reluctance to embrace flashy solos or complex rhythmic structures helps preserve the traditional doom sensibility at the heart of their music. On the other hand, the fact that some sections rely on similar tempos and dynamics can occasionally make the tracks less distinguishable from one another. While there is a strong sense of compositional craftsmanship throughout the album, not every song reaches the same level of memorability.

The blues influence extends well beyond the guitar tone and rhythmic swing. By combining heavy doom riffs with the groove-oriented approach of the blues tradition, LASER DRACUL give their music a sense of movement that goes beyond simply being slow and heavy. The occasional presence of more subdued psychedelic elements further enriches the album's musical identity. The production's emphasis on pronounced distortion and dense instrumentation is particularly effective when the guitars and bass move together. However, the vocals occasionally struggle to develop a sufficiently distinctive character, potentially undermining the powerful atmosphere created by the compositions. The vocal performance is not outright poor, but it lacks the individuality and definition found in the instrumental side of the music.

'Come To Me Witches' brings the album to a close by taking its heavy, occult approach to an even more commanding level. March-like guitar movements and powerful drum hits give the track a ceremonial sense of progression. The organ sounds lingering in the background and the persistent melancholic tone prevent sheer heaviness from becoming the sole defining element. This closing track demonstrates that the album's dark aesthetic is not built exclusively around satanic imagery and heavy riffs; its blues-rooted melodic approach is equally important to the atmosphere.

"Hin Håle Blues" is not an experimental record attempting to reshape doom metal's long-established traditions simply for the sake of sounding different. LASER DRACUL's approach is to draw on the legacy of BLACK SABBATH, enriching it with blues, fuzz and psychedelic rock elements to create a darker, more metal-oriented musical whole. The greatest success of this approach lies in the way the heavy riffs retain their sense of groove, while the atmospheric arrangements contribute naturally to the flow of the compositions. On the other hand, the limited character of the vocals and the similarities that emerge in certain passages remain the main obstacles to the album developing a stronger individual identity. Nevertheless, for listeners who appreciate the unpretentious, riff-driven foundations of traditional doom metal, "Hin Håle Blues" is a solid effort that brings familiar genre elements together with a confident sense of songwriting.

Laser Dracul
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