Heretic's Fork
Heretic's Fork (CD) 2002 None
If Heretic's Fork is any indication, it looks like the influence of one of Rhode Island's favorite sons, H.P. Lovecraft, has pervaded the whole southeastern New England region. These guys show some serious aptitude when it comes to playing heavy, doom-laden dirges loaded with atmosphere to the point that someday I expect to hear their music in a film soundtrack as some obscure cult calls forth its ancient gods. Although the CD artwork - heavy on the skulls and crosses, thank you - is pretty much straight orthodox doom, the musical influences tell a somewhat different story. ‘Seed,' for example, begins all atmospheric and doomy, shifting into a Melvins-like break, overlaid with bellowed, trance-inducing vocals reminiscent of Sleep's ‘Dopesmoker'. This is followed by ‘Minus One,' and if you like the live version of Floyd's ‘Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun,' you'll love this dirge-like tune as it lurches to its final climax. In addition, you'll hear lots of Tool and Sabbath mixed into the proceedings, not to mention the heavy sonic experimentation of ‘Aphasiapersilence.' The packaging on this puppy is professional, and so is the sound quality and musicianship. You know, it's a pity to think that a band like this, who could play most shit you hear on the radio under the table, is toiling away in New England. You can right the karmic balance by contacting these dudes to pick up on some heavy-duty melancholy. After all, if Lovecraft were alive today, I'd be willing to bet that he'd do the same.	1. Undefined 2. Seed 3. Minus One 4. Sweet Life 5. Aphasiapersilence 6. Embedded Approx. 43 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh
Neanderthal Ballet (CD) 2005 None
The heretic who allegedly always carries a fork also has a few other distinct features about himself. He's goat-like with red skin. Following from the sound emanating from his fork gives me the image that he is cocky, aggressive, primitive, and as I'm sure anyone who knows him well can vouch for, just a tad evil. While there are no lyrics in his dedication, this comparison still describes the music so well. While their debut was indeed a fantastic doom/desert rock album, they have clearly outdone themselves in every way here. With the exception of some really laid back quieter sections, everything is made from very headbangable heaviness. Either you stop when you're dizzy, or you'll surely feel it in your neck tomorrow. Having said that, you can already understand why the quieter sections are very welcome whenever they come. In addition to the powerful riffage, there is a really strong feeling of majesty. While the bass slowly thunders on and the drums ritually pound into the earth, the music still manages to keep its chin up, eyes looking straight forwards, intent on not giving in to anything. Not only do they pull it off, but they do it really well, too. 'Slave Name', my favorite on the album, is a nine minute long prime example of the best in their sound. It just keeps building itself upwards towards a grand climax in the end. It makes you wish the track was a lot longer so you can experience it once again. Fans of anything heavy within either the stoner rock or the doom metal genre will have lots to look forwards to here. Bands like Obiat, YOB and Reverend Bizarre all come to mind in every flattering way. Few self-released albums have impressed me as much as those made by this fork.	1. Eater 2. Patricide 3. Appetite 4. Thin The Herd 5. Slave Name 6. Black-Haired Fathers 7. Father-Daughter Dance 8. Marching Orders 9. Soured Flesh 10. TFH 11. Ole Milky Approx. 73 minutes
Reviewed by: Arnstein H. Pettersen