Register Forgot login?

© 2002-2024
Encyclopaedia Metallum

Privacy Policy

Goatsnake > 1 > Reviews
Goatsnake - 1

Down that Dusty Road - 90%

Twisted_Psychology, December 2nd, 2019

Of all the bands playing stoner doom in the Man’s Ruin era, there weren’t many playing the style quite like Goatsnake. The LA-based quartet had the fuzzy overdrive and desert aesthetic of their peers but set themselves apart thanks to a much deeper understanding of the blues. The bouncy grooves on their 1999 debut may be comparable to those exerted by Kyuss or Orange Goblin on the surface, but there’s a certain swing and swagger that puts them closer to Danzig or Black Sabbath at their most primal.

The extreme contrasts present in the musicians’ dynamic also help Goatsnake carve out a distinct identity. Greg Anderson’s guitar tone is just as massive as one would expect from a Sunn O))) co-founder, following in Victor Griffin’s footsteps with overwhelming fuzz and a bright yet oppressive attitude that would fit Eyehategod-style abrasion just as well. Guy Pinhas’ bass fills things out with its own share of power and Greg Rogers’ drums show off a strong mix of bluntness and flexibility.

But the album’s biggest wildcard and most divisive point comes with Peter Stahl’s vocals. In contrast to the gravel or flat indifference expressed by many of their peers, Stahl’s delivery surges between melodic crooning and howling yelps. His voice is thin without getting too wispy and his phrasing can be unhinged without getting too aggressive. A grittier performance wouldn’t have been out of place but there’s a certain appeal in the bluesman persona, especially when they bring the harmonica into it.

These elements are elevated further by the songwriting, which gives the album an easygoing flow with some fantastic riff sets along the way. This is especially true of the album’s first half; it’s great to see the joyfully bouncy “Slippin’ the Stealth” flow into the steady “Innocent,” but the slower transition to “What Love Remains” and “IV” is just as masterful. On the flip side, “Dog Catcher” is a frankly awkward experiment but the psych-leaning “Trower” is enough to make for it.

While Goatsnake’s prowess is best demonstrated on 2000’s Flower of Disease, their debut album is an immediate realization of their blues metal vision. The songs are well-written with a slew of catchy riffs, but the band’s signature vocals and hefty balance of powerful melodicism give uniqueness to what would otherwise be conventional stoner doom. Goatsnake may not enjoy the high status of Sleep or Electric Wizard in the genre but they deserve just as much respect.

Highlights:
“Slippin’ the Stealth”
“Innocent”
“What Love Remains”
“IV”