Doublestone - ST EP (album review)

Cover artwork by Johan August Christiansen

Doublestone strutted onto the scene a little over a year ago with their three song EP called 'Set The World Ablaze'.  An ambitious title to an effort that very nearly accomplished said feat.  Heavy guitars and a punchy rhythm section put the tinderbox world on notice that this was a highly combustible trio who had riffs, high energy and knew how to use them.  Still, something was missing.  Somehow the circle was incomplete.

A year passed.

Then, Doublestone returned to threaten the Earth's extinction once again.  On this latest effort, Doublestone take the role of gravediggers, shamelessly raiding the riffs of the seventies, and the music is even better, more immediate, more audacious than before.  Smart use of organ on "An Omen" and "Wolves Gotta Howl" takes the band some sixty feet below, all the way down into the gone but not forgotten garage band era of the sixties.

"Wyoming Is Burning" is the heaviest thing on six wheels, rolling slow and menacing riffs out on skids greased with an open hi-hat hiss.  "Low" continues the doomy vibe with its drunken swaying riff and equally sluggish tempo and a catchy vocal hook, "You better learn how to lay low!"  It seems the band is only toying with listeners.  Just as soon as you've adjusted to the slower ride, they kick things up a gear or three with "Your Mother Said", a blistering riff rocker.  The previously mentioned "Wolves Gotta Howl" is given a dark, dark vibe by combining sixties garage rock rhythms with horror film elements borrowed from the same era combined with a fantastic circuitous hook.

But opening track "Hand of Lucifer" is the standout song here, believe me when I tell you, this thing's got groove.  Actually, don't believe me, listen on the player below and you tell me.  I don't know what it is with them Danes man, but they never seem to disappoint.  Doublestone proves themselves as capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with countrymen Moonless, Pet the Preacher and Altar of Oblivion in terms of a high level of quality while sounding nothing like those bands.  Actually, they sound like refugees from Sweden on this one, although other Germanic bands such as Kadavar, Heat & Torso among others have successfully summoned the riff rock demons of their Scandanavian cousins, Doublestone put the retro rock world on notice with this EP, infusing just the right amount of doom and a double dose of heaviness as befits their name.

I've got to admit, even though I was familiar with the band and I was impressed with their 'Set The World Ablaze' EP, I was not expecting just how good this six song EP would be.  I was pleasantly surprised with the direction this band has taken and will be first in line any time they want to put something else together in the future.  This EP is full of hooks, catchy vocals, wormy, groovy riffs and cloaked in heaviness not often found in retro rock bands.  If any of that sounds appealing to you, check them out on the player below, it's a FREE DOWNLOAD!!

Highlights include: "Hand of Lucifer" and "Low"

Rating: 4.5/5

Total Run Time: 23:44

Bo Blond - Guitars, Vocals
Kristian Blond - Bass
Mike Bruun - Drums

From: Copenhagen, Denmark

Genre: Stoner, Retro Rock, Riff Rock, Hard Rock, Doom

Reminds me of: Amaxa, Devil, Heat, Kadavar

Release Date: January 19, 2013

Suggested listening activity for fellow non-stoners: Get out your shovels and start digging for groovy, wormy retroness.

Better Review:
Welcome to the Void in Greek
Ech(((o))) and Dust

Doublestone official website

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