Slugstain - Demo 2010

Their promo info sheet reads "Slugstain is a Finnish band founded in 2010. Slugstain plays heavy doom rock. Slugstain is seriously inspired and shamelessly influenced by Black Sabbath, Cathedral, Trouble, Danzig, The Obsessed, Saint Vitus, Witchfinder General and Pentagram etc. We don't have the need to reinvent the wheel, it's all about the power of the dark riff". Damn right its about the power of the dark riff but what is more interesting is Slugstain don't sound like any of the bands listed above expect for maybe The Obsessed and even then, its only in a small way. Slugstain actually remind me more of a young Orange Goblin, dark, mostly mid-tempo, infectious and slightly psychedelic. Being such a new band, I can forgive them for them for the rather primitive, under-developed song-writing style but the grooves and riffs are there already.

The four song demo is well produced with a real beefy guitar sound and the line-up of Olli Onkamo (Vocals), Janne Savolainen (Guitars), Jelle van der Beek (Drums) and studio session bassist Viljami Rentola lay down some killer riffage. The vocals of Onkamo are instantly enjoyable, he has a rich, warm tone to his voice and the way he delivers the catchy vocal hooks, it automatically drill themselves into your memory. The guitar work of Savolainen is right on the money also and like they proudly say its all about the riffs and Slugstain do churn out some killers within the short running time of this demo. Opening two tracks, "Bringer Of Night" and "Howlin Susie" have a late 80's/early 90's Maryland Stoner Doom vibe, the riffing has a Victor Griffin kind of quality and while this is very predictable, its also very good. "Urban Hermit" strikes some more solid grooves and Jelle van der Beek's drumming is also up to the task by pounding out some thunderous but slightly primitive hits around the kit.

The final track is the weakest of the four tunes, "Throne Of Cosmos" gets a little bit on the cheesy side of Stoner Doom with the lyrics and the repetition gets a little tiring towards the end, overall though its a weak ending to what is a pretty good demo from a very new band. Finland is of course becoming a mecca for Doom and Stoner Metal acts and you will read many more reviews over the next few months from Finnish bands. I say this a lot with new bands but Slugstain has huge amounts of potential and with the possibility of a full length album in the not too distinct future, it will be something to look out for. I personally can't wait to hear a lot more from Slugstain in the next year, with a bit more originality they could be the next riff kings from the country that brought you Reverend Bizarre, Skepticism and Spiritus Mortis. 7.5/10
www.myspace.com/slugstain