Khemmis – Deceiver

 

 

Khemmis – Deceiver
Nuclear Blast – 2021
Metal, Doom, Black, Sludge
Rated: ***

It arrived with a bang! But I guess Khemmis always does! The new album Deceiver jumped to the Seventh spot of the November Doom Charts and Tony van Dorston from the wicked Fast 'n Bulbous wrote: “Their twin guitar showcases are on point, and the vocal melodies and harmonies are stickier than ever. I’m not really a fan of Ben Hutcherson’s harsh screams, but much like peak early 00’s era Opeth, it’s a necessary evil that does provide useful variety and contrast.” And I could not agree more! It is the one thing that sort of deters me from completely falling head over heels in love with Khemmis. Cause the classic metal take on doom is wholesome and full of life, there is hope here and there is light. And it is an extra step towards the epic side of metal that Khemmis is slowly drifting towards. Always touching sludge and using the exact amount of prog to get the job done. Could they’ve done more? Perhaps, but perhaps, we could just enjoy their take on this classic story of deception and especially enjoy those two stand out tracks: The Astral Road and Shroud of Lethe.

(Written by JK)

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Khemmis – Desolation

Khemmis – Desolation

Nuclear Blast / 20 Buck Spin – 2018

Rock, Metal, Hard, Doom, Stoner

Rated: ****

We adored Absolution back in 2015 and still do! And we had the honor to write a few words about the new Khemmis album Desolation for the June edition of the Doom Charts. After which we ofcourse continue to spin the shit out of it. And now, a few weeks later, we still stand by every one of those words... Apart from the growling vocals at the end, opening track Bloodletting on Khemmis’s third album Desolation could be spun on every alternative radio station and it would turn on almost every hard rocking freak. And this is how you could spin every one of the six tracks. It is still stoner metal and doom rock with a hardrock take and sludgy moments. But there is much more eighties metal and an extremely perfect vocal delivery on this record and it should cater to everyone. Yes, everyone! Yet, it might also piss a few fans off! Which is a damn freakin shame! Open mind beardos! Open mind! It’s what this underground stuff is all about! It’s what makes you truly love every one of those amazing records that come out. Don’t be a stick in the mud, don’t get stuck in your corner! Come out of the woodworks, put on Desolation, hear the growth and enjoy the fuck out of it!

(Written by JK)

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Khemmis – Absolution

Khemmis – Absolution

20 Buck Spin – 2015

Rock, Doom, Sludge, Stoner, Metal

Rated: *****

The Denver quartet Khemmis has been around since that dangerous year of 2012 and have recently released their debut full-sized album Absolution. If they had been planning to slowly add layer upon layer of their career, they are now in deep shit. Cause this will album will have the Khemmis ship take off like a rocket. Opening track Torn Asunder, slowly marches out of the gate with stomping drums and guitars heralding the coming of something knightly. After which the trek turns into a faster moving army, until the almost angelic and occult sounding male vocals start. Bathing the entire signature composition in white light. And it is not until three quarters of that song has passed that the evil appears. In the form of the growling and harsh vocals that tear the fabric apart. After which you suddenly have to come to grips with five more amazing tracks that can shift the entire world around you in an instant, going from uplifting and beautiful, to dark and desperate. There is no escape from it and there shall be no absolution, for this is never ending. Cause like an ever changing Labyrinth you are only there for its amusement and you can only marvel at its intricate inner workings!

(Written by JK)

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