Planet Gemini
SuperGod[t]DevilMan (CD) 2003 Gemini Records
Planet Gemini is the Complete Package for U.S. underground doom. They've set up their own cottage industry of sorts, and it appears to be working just fine, thank you. They make music their way: on their own label and in their own studio, and they make it all available for free download. Failing that, they burn it to CDR and hand it out for free, like they did at a recent Down gig. Lots of people talk the talk about how shitty the music industry is, but these guys walk the walk when it comes to making music outside of it. Cool. None of which would matter, of course, if the music sucked. Which it most emphatically does not. But more on that in a minute. Anyway, Planet Gemini is a duo: Hellion on vox, guitar, and drums and Josh on bass. It's hard to believe that all of this music is made by a mere two people, but there it is. 'SuperGod[t]DevilMan' is a journey of sorts, though it's difficult to say just where it's taking you. The lyrics, which seem to be largely improvised, are about betrayal, mistrust, religion, and addiction, among other weighty concepts. In short, nothing is as it seems, so watch it! Heh. The music to all of this is a heartfelt blend of Sabbath (the first four, 'natch) and Trouble, heavy on the Sabbath. Given the fact that so many bands have made music with these two icons as their main influences, its remarkable that Planet Gemini can produce all this music and keep it fresh and original. But they do it, in spades. This is aggressive old school riffing doom made with passion. Although there's lots of musical ability here, the sound quality is not at all slick. In fact, it seems pretty mid-fi to me. Which is fine, 'cause it gives the music a welcome lack of pretension that many more established bands could learn from. As if to add to their low-profile image, the group now refuses to be photographed, preferring to let their music be their sole spokesman. Check these guys out if you're into raw, Sabbathy doom made by a group who truly cares about every stage of their music's development.	1. Shining Wizard (Shine On) 2. Vertigo 3. SuperGod 4. Only the Dead (Chapter 2) 5. DevilMan 6. Song of the Servants (Sleeping Ones Awake) 7. Nova Kane 8. sYs 9. Circles 10. WoeConstrictor 11. Reaching Out 12. Cast a Stone 13. Children of the Cross Approx. 66 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh
Wizards Blood (CD) 2005 Gemini Records
Formed in 1997, Planet Gemini is a duo composed of "H" aka Hellion and Josh, surely the two most doomed residents of the cool historic whaling city of New Bedford, Massachusetts. The group resides largely on the internet, and this is their seventh release, including their annual 'Cauldron of Fuzz' series which comes out every Halloween. Everybody pisses and moans about the record industry and label woes, but Planet Gemini have done something about it. They've largely removed themselves from the money-go-round that fuels so much of the music industry's rip-off environment, choosing instead to offer their recordings up for free downloading, with whatever ancillary cash they earn going for new equipment. Because as we all know, taking other people's money - especially in the music industry - all too often means taking their crap. Planet Gemini have come as close as anyone ever has to creating a crap-free musical milieu, and everyone's the richer for it. This is tuneage for music addicts by music addicts, with the profit motive removed. Make no mistake, Black Sabbath is the king of musical influence for these guys, and if you're not ready for a fine reinterpretation of that tradition, then read no further. After all, H learned to play guitar by mimicking a Sabbath video of the 'Never Say Die' tour, filmed at the Hammersmith Odeon. A tour, btw, that I was privileged to witness in person, he said blowing nonchalantly on his knuckles. Ahem. Be that as it may, old school doom may be their principle influence, but discerning listeners may also pick out shades of Priest, Rainbow, Candlemass, Deep Purple and even Black Label Society. Notice anything about that list? Its mostly of European groups; no coincidence because PG has a very European sound. How about the music? Not to put too fine a point on it, but this is the band's best effort yet. I was a big fan of the aggressive doom of 'Supergod[+]Devilman', an earlier effort about the conflict between good and evil, but 'Wizards Blood' trumps it. The recording is all analog - though the mastering is digital - and the instrument's sound definition is more natural because of it. The songwriting is first class: accessible even, with a good dose of groove at times. The whole effort is eminently listenable and memorable, making this record more appealing to more doom heads without in any way selling out or selling the passion short. There are abundant flashes of Ozzy-era Sabbath, including the later stuff, and do I hear a bit of Zakk in there as well? Hmmmmm... Repeated listens suggest that this may appeal to YOB enthusiasts as well, as Hellion's vocals occasionally ascend into Mike's realm of haunting spirituality. To be real honest about it, H's sometimes theatrical vocals, singing of integrity and truth betrayed, occasionally get a bit too screechy for me. But one man's screech is another man's treasure, and they may match your tastes perfectly. I'll leave that to you. What's behind the group name? Well, it has nothing to do with astrological signs. The planet in question instead refers to a gateway, a portal for musical journeys. This is two men's reinterpretation of the Sabbath tradition, a successful result of learning from past musical experiments. The causatum is an up-to-date version of that classic sound, a regale of power, aggression, and intensity. This is a must for fans of riffing doom, so support these radical DIY'ers and visit their site for a taste. The first one's free, heh heh......	1. Church of Madness 2. Devil You Seek 3. Death Comes Out 4. Flicker 5. The Haunting 6. Twist the Knife 7. As the Lazers Scream/Handful of Annihilation 8. Buried Alive 9, World of Shine 10. Blood 11. Wizards Approx. 64 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh