Colossus
Spiritual myiasis
Dark Matter Records

I don't usually do this, but I'm going to name-drop like there's no tomorrow. The over-saturation of sludge/doom rock bands these days means either for you, a good or bad thing. Kyuss reunions, more impressive line-ups at Roadburn Festival and more bands on the radio finding immutable reconfigurations of greasy head-banging, B-minor scales, and the good, old-fashioned drop C#. Colossus from Stockholm are no doubt a member of the same army and even though there's no desert in Sweden to refer to their style, there are certainly a host of comparable bands -- Coliseum (name easily confusable), Orange Goblin, Big Business, High on Fire, Melvins, Neurosis, etc. etc. If any of these bands tickle your moustache and you're scouting for something new, I'd give Colossus a whirl. Not just 'cos they throw similar references, or are another band to annoy your neighbours to as you blast it through your speakers, munch on your Grandiosa pizza and drink beer -- but because they actually write decent songs. Clear ideas; persistent, well-structured choruses sprinkled with a few unique spin-off, thrash riffs (and always the quintessential track bordering on the cheese and operatic, "Eternal return") -- making them a bit more sophisticated then your average backyard, pisshead squatter version. Though for this jaded reviewer, listening to this makes me believe I'd be happier revisiting Metallica's "Kill 'em all". Besides, hasn't it been over ten years since I snagged that advance copy of Mastodon's "Remission"? Doh!
- Ann Sung-an Lee