Who doesn’t love anything inspired by the likes of HP Lovecraft? That irresistible New England hermit who is responsible for some of horror’s darkest tales and creating the all-powerful Cthulhu has inspired countless artists to interpret his work. Spawning from the depths of Lovecraft’s tales is the newest record from blackened-death metal heads The Great Old Ones, EOD: A Tale of Dark Legacy (Season of Mist). What EOD ends up pulling off effectively is a combination of sound that 1). Comes off heavy and thrilling, and 2). Pays excellent tribute to the vibes and aura of Lovecraft.
What really does the trick for the atmosphere is the overall murky and misty sound that comes from the music. Opener “The Shadow Over Innsmouth” goes all the way through with a relentless rage from the beginning. The sound has a depth to it, that with brief distortion, feels as if it is rising from the waters. Vocally there is a lot of watery echo effect that adds a thick mucky sound. While “When the Stars Align” eases up on the pummeling guitar work, it maintains a bright distortion that balances with the deeper and heavier use of drums.
Some of the best parts are when EOD sticks to pure instrumentals. Not that there is anything wrong with the vocals, but the instrumentals are the true high point to this record. “The Ritual” is one of the prime examples of this, the first two minutes of its opening is without vocals, and slowly haunts its way in. The track also introduces a terrific use of creepy keys that will make any Lovecraft fan grin. “The Ritual” is the first time in the album where The Great Old Ones show they can balance formula and structure. It takes moments to step away from straight forward pummeling, to jump into hit after hit, to come back to droning. This pummeling effect never becomes monotonous, but can certainly lean towards a common factor within the songs.
The formula doesn’t take away from the great atmosphere found in the album however. Tracks like “Mare Infinitum” add gentle moments that switch up the sound and never take away from the emotion. While starting gentle, slow, and even graceful, it brings more of a power to the destructive progression that is to come. This uses distortion and darker notes that ring in the listener’s ear. The balance between relentless energy and drones is just in the right place to keep folks on the ride. The later portion of the album is when this balance comes together, and makes every aspect all the more welcoming.
From the beginning the band always maintains its depth and haunting inspiration. EOD: A Tale of Dark Legacy is not only an excellent tribute to Lovecraft, but a solid good time overall. Even though there is a common formula that makes its way into most of the tracks, The Great Old Ones have crafted a terrific record of depth and aura. The underlying creepiness and lingering horror are ever-present within the depths of The Great Old Ones, making this record worth checking out, and keeping an eye on the band for the future.
Score: 7.5/10
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