Hell Obelisco – Swamp Wizard Rises

[schema type=”review” name=”Hell Obelisco – Swamp Wizard Rises” description=”Label: Argonauta Records” author=”Miguel Melo” pubdate=”2018-03-23″ ]

Gotta love how this album starts. This is pure dirty power. Voodoo Alligator Blood promises a great album. There is absolutely nothing these Italian guys owe to American Sludge Metal or Stoner rock. The intro was as solid as rock can be and dragged me to proper headbanging. I guess that has to do with the fact that this band is composed by seasoned Italian musicians, combining in a super group with a suggestive name of “Hell Obelisco”.

The guitars are squeaking is just plain cool. I might be going a bit over the limit but I could remember a couple of details that remind me of Tool. And that is a hell of a compliment that I just did. To always be sure, I like to see these bands live. And specially sludge metal is something I would love to listen in a hot summer afternoon, maybe sunset, with a cold beer in my hands. Mojito could do it as well. Preferably a lake, river, swimming pool around. With half naked people going around headbanging. That is my wishful thinking.

Not all is perfect and I might say that I got a little bit bored with the same register of vocals. A bit of variations in these department of sound would be recommended. Not saying it was bad, but different possibilities could be there and tested properly. Suggestions for the next albums in the future: explore different vocals.

Another thing I find funny: All the songs have 3 words titles. The album has 3 words title. Why? What unholy trinity were these guys up to? Wondering if I will have any opportunity to ask because that is haunting my curiosity.

About the songs: Voodoo Alligator Blood feats vocalist Tony J.J. (Transport League and B-Thong), and Biting Killing Machine feats Carmelo Orlando (Novembre). These are two of my favorite songs of the album. Always good to have help when releasing an album. High Speed Demon like exactly like that. Speeding up and sending the listeners on a high velocity pursuit of something. What exactly, I don’t know. But I like it.

To finalize Black Desert Doom is the wish for a good journey, bye bye and see you soon. As a fact, I will follow these guys from now on.

Line-up:
Doc – six sludge strings
Alex – behind the skins
Andrew – front row mammoth
Fraz – seven doomed and lowered strings

Tracklist: 1. Voodoo Alligator Blood 2. Teenage Mammoth Club 3. Escaping Devil Bullets 4. Earth Rage Apocalypse 5. Biting Killing Machine 6. Death Moloch Rising 7. Dead Dawn Duel 8. High Speed Demon 9. Black Desert Doom

Links:
Hell Obelisco Facebook