Aldebaran
Aldebaran (7") 2005 Parasitic
This is the first release by Aldebaran, the new band by members of YOB, H.C. Minds and Tusks Of Blood. It's just slightly less than 7 minutes in length, but it still portrays the band to be a quite promising newcomer in the sludge/stoner genre. More specifically these guys belong in the corner of really filthy sludge/stoner. There is just one thing that this release doesn't have, but which the split with Rue has; the strong stoner/doom vibe from the YOB influence. The first track, 'Pleasures Of War', is short (approximately two and a half minute in length) and has no stoner influences at all. Instead it focuses on extremely aggressive sludge. Just to give you an idea of how aggressive; the refrain is just a chant that goes "WAR! WAR! WAR!". Yet it would be a mistake to just call this a pro-war song as the track begins with what seems like a description of radiation victims. It is also worth mentioning that the lyrics are clearly far more accusing than they are supporting. Unlike the first track, the second track, 'Astoroth', has very prominent stoner elements. It's still filthy but nowhere near as aggressive. It deals with christian mythology. More precisely the fallen angel Astoroth. Not very surprisingly the lyrics are very "evil". I don't know if it is just the copy that I've got or if the entire production of this 7" has been the victim of a production error. On my copy at least, the labels on the vinyl itself has switched sides so that on side a it says that it's track two. Despite the short length of this 7", I would still have to say that I've enjoyed it a lot. Both tracks are high quality and is recommended for all sludge fans and those who like stoner rock with a bite.	I. Pleasures Of War II. Astoroth Approx. 7 minutes
Reviewed by: Arnstein H. Pettersen
Rue / Aldebaran Split (CD) 2005 Parasitic/Shifty
This disk is the product of two rampant bands from Shifty Records' stock. They both play harsh stoner metal with obvious taints of sludgecore and doom metal. It's groovy, it's bouncy, but Hell will freeze over before you find any elements of happiness here. Rue enters the stage first. Many consider stoner rock to be a relaxed genre, but these four serenades prove once and for all that this is not always the case. While their other releases show a strong doomy side from time to time, I can't say I hear much of that now. This time the focus is on aggression. The lyrics indicate that the recieving end of this attitude is the government or society. For this purpose they have adopted some lesser punk tendencies in their lyrics. Musically it's more like a hellhound on the loose, as violent and menacing as it is loud. The last four tracks are more interesting for fans of YOB. In fact Mike, the vocalist and guitarist, is the same guy who plays in both YOB and H.C. Minds. This band is not as heavy as the other two Mike participates in and like Rue they focus more on aggression on this release. This time around the loud riffage has no remorse as it pounds into the ground. Still, it's heavier than the average stoner band and YOB fans should check it out anyways. It contains a lot of the traits that people loved about their earliest releases. Whether you prefer the image of a rabid dog hanging from the throat of a politician, or Godzilla brutally laying waste to a city, you'll find both here. Recommended listening for both sludge and stoner fans.	Rue: 1. You Say One Thing 2. Shit Talker 3. Lengthy Delusion 4. Throes Of Life Aldebaran: 5. They Bend The Trees And Crush The Cities 6. The Obscene 7. Aldebaran Red 8. Tower Of Famine Approx. 38 minutes
Reviewed by: Arnstein H. Pettersen
Dwellers In Twilight (CD) 2007 Parasitic
As unmoving and defiantly poised as an obelisk that has stood firmly against the ages, Aldebaran have risen from the murky substance of the U.S. Doom scene with a blackened fist of chthonic über-Sludge thrust towards the stagnant gut of convention. As slow as the second coming of Christ, Aldebaran's initial offering, 'Dwellers In Twilight', is as heavy and earth-moving as the steady footsteps of the Old Ones themselves. 'Dwellers In Twilight' is unquestionably one of the most uncompromising Doom Metal albums I've ever had the pleasure of being mercilessly pummeled by. The album is firmly rooted between Funeral Doom's lack of forgiveness and Sludge's grooving repetition. The resultant mixture is quite an unnerving elixir, proving that the safety of the middle ground is nothing but a mere illusion. The clarity of production of 'Dwellers In Twilight' is quite surprising, considering quite a few bands that perform in a similar vein have the unfortunate tendency to envelop their music in a nearly impenetrable cocoon of reverb. Aldebaran buck this trend by applying reverb in flattering amounts, allowing their music to breathe and remain coherent. The music is graciously allowed to speak for itself, though the message may be delivered in some horrific alien tongue. As one may have expected upon closely reading this review, the influence of one Howard Philips Lovecraft blows like a diseased wind from every pore of 'Dwellers In Twilight', which allows the album to be absorbed more in the context of an intense ritual of unspeakable horror than traditional fare. The guitarwork possesses a dark tonality, low end saturation, and sits prominently in the mix. The drums are quite powerful, and are even more prominent than the guitar. Neither compete with the other for the listener's attention, which is a testament of superior mixing. The vocals are of an insidious caliber. The gutteral musings present within 'Dwellers In Twilight' prove to be the perfect vehicle for the despair and nihilism the instrumentation implies. Aldebaran have unashamedly perpetrated one of the most crushing albums in recent memory. There is no compromise to be found here - only superior Doom, and in copious amounts. For those in need of an intense aural beating, I can recommend 'Dwellers In Twilight' without hesitation.	1. Beasts At The Throne 2. Pillars Of Geph 3. Sightless And Silent Into Blackened Gulphs Approx. 43 minutes
Reviewed by: Timothy Coleman