hour of 13 the ritualist

Released: 24 January 2011 Label: Earache Records

Even the most cursory listen to this album quickly reveals that Hour of 13 owes a massive debt to the first six Black Sabbath albums. From the Ozzy-patented wail of Phil Swanson, to the doom-laden riffs of Brandon Munday and Chad Davis, the dark spirit of Birmingham’s metal overlords haunts every second of these eight tracks.

With further listening it becomes equally apparent that this is about so much more than simple Sabbath worship. Having forged a healthy underground reputation with their self-titled 2007 debut, the new Earache signings seamlessly blend elements of stoner rock and doom metal with traces of seventies psychedelia and NWOBHM-style songwriting.

The demonic riffage of opening track The Gathering sets the despondent tone nicely, but it’s on longer flights of fancy like Evil Inside and The Crawlspace that Hour of 13 really lets loose, tapping into the rich heritage of occult-inspired metal of everyone from Coven to St Vitus to Mercyful Fate.

Much like the recent debut by Rise Above signings Ghost, Hour of 13 also flash a knowing wink to English pioneers like Witchfynde and Witchfinder General, so if you find the likes of Electric Wizard  just too damn impenetrable, this is the accessible way to get your daily dose of doom.

A determinedly retro and raw production suits the band perfectly and if there really is a hell, you can bet your soul that Hour of 13 is the house band. And, on this occasion, hell really ain’t a bad place to be.

by Marcus Jervis