Zoroaster - Matador

Zoroaster is a band for people who love metal with lots of atmosphere and super heavy riffs. Two distinguishing features of the band of the spacing/echoing guitar tones and vocal effects. They stick to that excellent format throughout and create a seamless album.

The opening track to this sludge metal masterpiece is D.N.R. A slow and super heavy riff-laden bowl of molten metal. Vocals are delivered through a deep echoing spaced out effect. Listen closely for the panting in the background. Zoroaster pay close attention to details of atmosphere throughout this album. DNR is the ultimate combination of doom/stoner metal with psychedelic music. Be prepared for an extended solo that eventually returns home after its wandering ways.

The second track Ancient Ones opens with a thundering riff and pounding drums before the vocals kick in. The vocals have less echo but are dual layered so they give off a chant like vibe. The deep raspy tone of the vocals lend a villainous feel to song. The band uses a minute plus solo to finish the song but sing over parts of it showing off their musical chops.

Odyssey follows with a thunderous opening before settling into one of the slower tracks on the album. The vocals do not feature the raspy tone, but are sung cleanly, sort-of. They are delivered at a chant-like tempo and sound distant yet all round you. Time for the sonic odyssey to begin. The guitar solo on the track sounds as if it were recorded in a canyon. The appeal to this genre of metal is the rhythmic pulse and a general appreciation for riffs and solos. Zoroaster adheres to that premise with grinning, headbanging inducing precision.

Trident leads the way into the middle of the album by speeding up the tempo. Zoroaster doesn't want the audience to get too spaced out. It features a punk/surf style approach to the guitars in the verse. Fans of Monster Magnet will appreciate this addition to the album.

Firestarter begins with sparse guitar tones before a collision of effects rolls in to overwhelm the listener. The chaos quickly subsides and the sparse guitar notes are replaced with two spaced out solos while the drummer holds things together. Old World follows and it is the most psychedelic track on the album. Chant like vocals, slow pulsing riffs, and spaced out solos.

Blackhole opens with a searing solo and thundering drums. When the vocals come in they are menacing and continue the tone set during the song's first minute.

Odysessy II is a mellower version of its predecessor. A simple acoustic guitar pattern played while the bass and drums lumber along. The slow track allows the listen to settle down after Blackhole and leads nicely into the ambient title track and closer, Matador.