Beast In The Field - "Goat Isle Séance" ...

As a reviewer it’s my duty to offer you the most accurate review possible. I just couldn’t live with myself if I gave false information or let bands present themselves as they are not. So when I see that Beast in the Field are billed as a “two man band of epic proportions it’s my duty to investigate. But don’t worry, I’m qualified.  I did some time in college and know a thing or two about research. Anyway, using these skills I poured over the liner notes and discovered the band consists of Jordan Pries on guitar and Jamie Jahr on drums.  Nobody plays bass (or even sings). They are, indeed, a duo. But for proof of their epicness I had to dig a bit deeper, had to put the needle to wax and crank it up.

The first cut  Deep In The Caves helps their case. You’re greeted by a guitar sound that dances like a dead tree in a Michigan winter, but only lasts for twenty seconds or so until something heavy comes your way. The riff knocks you around in three seconds flat before that original guitar sound comes back and you think they’re just bluffing, the way a silverback gorilla might if you got too close to his harem. When that HEAVY riff comes back you realize they are just toying with you. They own your now rattling brain and one minute in, when the riff drags you into Dante’s frigid hell, you’re enjoying the ride.

I spent a lot of this review talking about the first track cause I spent a lot of time listening to the first track. Unlike some instrumentals you never get bored, the dynamics change enough so that you’re always engaged, and this never lets up throughout the whole album. “Breath of the…” walks the more traditional doom line, almost falling into drone, but is never dull. “Discovered: Large Iron Core” starts off with drums that might make ol’ Peart shrug but I like ‘em. Beast in the Field make good use of the light/dark dynamic popular with many doom bands. They lull you in for a minute with softer guitars, then pummel you with some mighty riffage. They even sneak in an acoustic piano track, “Moth Amigo”, so you can catch your breath. Bless them.

Beast in the Field are indeed epic. I mean, the shortest track on this album is an acoustic/piano based interlude which lasts almost four minutes. I dig them.  Their songs move with an almost Rushian grace while kicking like a Brontosaurus. Go listen to ‘em for yourself and see if I’m right or wrong. Goat Isle Séance was just rereleased on vinyl (originally put on in other forms in 2007). Oh, and go see them live. Get yourself pummeled by guitar and drum, and be sent into a near epileptic fit by their tremendous light show.  Then get yourself baptized. If you go you’ll know what I mean.....9/10.

Words: Justin Gish

Beast In The Field