Cover of Earthride Vampire Circus
Antmo

• Rating:

For fans of earthride, lovers of stoner and doom metal, listeners who appreciate heavy riffs and dark atmospheres
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THE REVIEW

Amplifiers and mists. New electromagnetic curses against the stone. And more mist. Damn viscous mist all around.

The Earthride have been wallowing in the stoner-doom swamp more or less since 2000, but Dave Sherman, here frontman, is also the bassist of Spirit Caravan, and drummer Eric Little comes from Internal Void.

Essentially, when they organize the outdoor barbecue with the whole family, they don't use charcoal: they call Satan himself to be the chef. For "Vampire Circus," he cooks them some tasty meat mushes made from goat and to wash down the proud meal, Abraxas, Belphegor, Moloch, and a hell of a lot of other demons bring six-packs of cheap beer.

The stakes are high, and I've sworn a blood oath: a horrible curse on me if I do a track-by-track! Suffice it to say that Dave moans like a damn sticky cross between the hoarseness of Lemmy and Phil Anselmo, articulating muscle contractions, spasms, paranoid thoughts. The guitar tunings are so low they're like the primordial scream of the earth and make you crap your pants. Doom craftsmanship riffing and wah-wah splashes between the quarters of a drum hit with the bare palms by John 'Bonzo' Bonham's zombie: like a murky mix between Pentagram, Electric Wizard, and at the base ZZ Top on morphine and limping Motorhead. And with all this, when they realize they're too heavy, they also throw in some “cheerful licks” of Hammond organ... achieving a stunning opposite effect.

Damn, this album is damnably black and misshapen, organic like mud, burnt sand, a tire skid on the highway to hell. Doom is as withered as the tits of an old witch who has given too much to too many. Stoner lives on old ghosts and new distorters.

Earthride, on the other hand, kick ass. The chef says so too.

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Summary by Bot

Earthride's 'Vampire Circus' is a dense and haunting stoner doom album that delivers powerful riffs and intense vocals. Frontman Dave Sherman blends hoarse tones reminiscent of legends, while the exceptionally low guitar tunings create a raw, primal atmosphere. The mix of doom craftsmanship and occasional Hammond organ licks adds depth and contrast. The album is praised for its organic, dark, and heavy sound that stands out in the genre.

Tracklist Videos

01   Fighting the Devils Inside of You (05:05)

02   Understand (04:58)

03   Vampire Circus (06:53)

04   Dirtnap (05:37)

05   Interlude (01:18)

06   God's Own Medicine (03:50)

07   Loss (05:03)

08   For the Wrath and Ruin (03:10)

09   The World I Live (03:20)

10   Swamp Witch (03:16)

Earthride

American stoner/doom band from Maryland led by Dave Sherman, linked to Spirit Caravan, Wretched, and Internal Void. Debuted with a self-titled EP (2000), followed by Taming of the Demons (2002), Vampire Circus (2005, Southern Lord), and Something Wicked (2010). Their sound blends Sabbathian riffs, low tunings, and gritty, hoarse vocals.
04 Reviews

Other reviews

By magico vento

 Dense and smoky fog envelops the listener who ventures into this third effort by Earthride.

 Listening is not recommended, but mandatory.