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3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
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Band
Goatsnake
Title
Trampled Under Hoof
Type
LP/EP
Company
Southern Lord
YOR
2004
Style
Doom/Stoner
8/22/2004 - Review by: Eric Compton
Goatsnake - Trampled Under Hoof - 2004 Southern Lord Records
reviewed by: EC

Track Listing
1.Portraits Of Pain
2.Black Cat Bone
3.Juniors Jam
4.Burial At Sea
5.Hot Rod
This is my first venture into the doomy void that is Goatsnake. "Trampled Under Hoof" is the newest EP from these grinding doom bastards, with this release being the first new material from the band since the group's 2000 record "Flower Of Disease".

This new EP is certainly gold to these ears, with five very solid tracks making up the record. Goatsnake bring to mind the gloomy bliss of legendary doomers like Saint Vitus, Cathedral, and The Obsessed. Vocalist Pete Stahl hints at the melodic wail of Solitude Aeturnus frontman Robert Lowe, in fact this EP's opener, "Portraits Of Pain", recalls the mournful soul of Solitude Aeturnus. From the opening track, Goatsnake show me that they are more than just your average California stoner rock.

With "Portraits Of Pain", Goatsnake display a brilliant ode to the "non-groovy" aspect of doom metal. With so many bands concentrating on the bluesy, stoner rock riff, Goatsnake take a moment to sit back and indulge in some good old fashioned slow doom, with the opening track crossing Solitude Aeturnus musically with the bitter chill of Candlemass. The second track shifts gears completely, stirring the soul with an uptempo, footstomper called "Black Cat Bone", which is absolutely crushing in its delivery, calling to arms the mid-era of Cathedral. "Juniors Jam" is a nine-minute epic that involves much of the same gloomy vibe of the opener, mixed with animal sounds and a harmonica. Very odd, but intriguing nonetheless. This release features two well done cover tunes, a cover of Saint Vitus' "Burial At Sea" and "Hot Rod", from Black Oak Arkansas.

As I mentioned earlier, this is my first sampling of Goatsnake, and based on what I have heard here, I plan on picking up their previous works. "Trampled Under Hoof" is a must have for fans of Solitude Aeturnus, The Obsessed, Saint Vitus, Cathedral, and even newer Clutch.


--EC 08.20.04
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: GOATSNAKE
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Black Age Blues
2015
Southern Lord
Vinaya Saksena6/1/2015
3.5
I + Dog Days
2004
Southern Lord
Eric Compton11/23/2004
-
Trampled Under Hoof
2004
Southern Lord
Eric Compton8/22/2004
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: GOATSNAKE
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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