Review - Tartupaluk

Tartupaluk
S/T

Ok, for my next review I've chosen a doom band from the Czech Republic. Tartupaluk play an atmospheric, lo-fi brand of doom that at times is reminiscent of grunge, particularly Soundgarden, but with raw, barked vocals that sound like an angry bear.

Vychova Strachem, the first track on their three-song self-titled album, starts off with a snaking, Black Sabbath-lite riff that sounds like the work of amateur metal bands the world over. That might sounds like an insult, but actually it's not - Tartupaluk manage to use hoary tritonic conventions in such a way that it sounds, not like a boring rehash of better work, but like a comforting, familiar blanket. It quickly slips into a crushing riff and the aforementioned pissed-off rottweiler vocals. Again, it's nothing spectacularly original, but when it sounds this good, who cares? The band change the tempo enough to keep the song interesting, and it's got a nice, attainable sound to it - it sounds like anyone could do this, but few could do it as well as Tartupaluk. This is almost punk metal.

Pevnost kicks off with another atmospheric riff, this one sounding more like Led Zeppelin circa Kashmir. I can't help but notice the similarity to the previous song - even the vocal pattern sounds the same. Even comfort food needs a little variation now and then, guys. In fairness, if I hadn't heard the first track, I'd like this one. There's also a fast part in this that gives it a little extra something.In fact, if the song had started with that part, it'd be pretty good. Basically, skip to the five minute mark when listening to this one.

The third and final song sounds a little less like the first one, and a little more powerviolence-y - I can imagine a band like Islam85 playing this, only they'd do it with more mind-crushing heaviness. Don;t get me wrong, this is a damn heavy track - and a damn good one - and heavier than a lot of metal bands, but it's not going to bludgeon you into submission if you;re used to the more extreme ends of the musical spectrum.

Basically, this album is pretty good - nothing special, not a masterpeice, but a solid, entertaining record. Also, it'as available for free on Bandcamp, so there's no reason not to get it.

Rating: 6/10