Zoroaster - Self-Titled

Formed in 2003, Zoroaster unload slow, sludgy grooves befitting of their beards. It’s heavy stuff, but it would have been heavier had the band named itself after a different religious leader, like, say, Mohammed or Jesus. Imagine the death threats! (See South Park, “Mohammed” episode) However, the original Zoroaster evidently also had a beard; maybe he, too, was a hesher.

On its self-titled debut (on Battle Kommand), this Georgia trio walks the fiery line between Sabbath and Sleep. The main riff in “Bullwhip” is ridiculously Sabbath-esque. However, the band escapes copyright infringement with abrasive vocals and a willingness to beat one chord into the ground a la Sleep. “Mons Venus,” too, could have had Ozzy on it, but instead carves a swath of low growls and distorted bass. More high-end information could have added more color, but that’s tough in a trio setting. In general, the band ably fulfills its mission of “sedation by low frequencies and high volumes.”

Bullwhip
Mons Venus

For being recorded in two days and mixed in one, this EP sounds good. The vibe is live, electric, and much more enjoyable than many productions with higher budgets. This is a formative debut, for sure, but a well-executed one. Pick it up

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