Note that there is no ‘The’ in front of Cologne based heavy rock band, Purple Dawn… if it did, the band would be a Prince tribute act! No, this band’s mantra is “heavy riffin’, easy livin’ worship the riff, praise Iommi” and I am not about to argue with that.
The first volume had great doom riffs and brilliant titles like ‘Goatthrower’ and the new album, imaginatively titled, Peace and Doom Sessions Volume II, travels a similar road.
The opener is a case in point as the riff borrows (pun intended) heavily from Sabbath’s Masters of Reality but has a unique approach and develops it very nicely into a (mainly) instrumental that is full of energy and a sprinkling of fun. The album closes with ‘Bonganchamun Part II’, neatly wrapping the five tracks between that cover subjects ranging from desert nomad rituals and journey to the depths of the sea. Each one fulfils their promise with hefty riffs and, on ‘100 Years A Day’ alternate doom and melodic vocals with a time-signature changing monster.
‘Old Fashioned Black Madness’ is heavy, of course, and is like Budgie playing Sabbath or vice-versa. The ten-minute epic, ‘Moonsong’ shows their approach and skills best as they veer from a Wishbone Ash-like intro to seriously heavy riffs like early Priest, and supply a great war’s solo too. ‘Death To A Dying World’ has a lovely bass and gentle guitar-driven quiet section to get you to relax and then, you guessed, the weight returns and the riff is back to tee up a heavier, quality solo.
There is little else peaceful about this great album: equally, there’s only a little true Doom metal but I’m sure this powerful trio could explain the title? So, if you want heavy done very well with plenty of variation in the mix, then this is your next favourite band.
Released on March 12th on Electric Valley Records in a variety of vinyl packages or on digital.
