Age Of Taurus - Desperate Souls Of Tortured Times

UK based Age of Taurus make no frills Doom-laden heavy metal, with an emphasis on HEAVY. Produced by Jaime Gomez Arellano (Angel Witch, Hexvessel, Ghost), 'Desperate Souls of Tortured Times' is a 42 minute collection of material written during their transition over the past three years. It's an unashamedly heavy voyage down a road less travelled, where each of the seven songs acts as a chapter from an altogether longer tale. Monstrous, mountain-shaking riffs are order of the day in the Empire, stepping aside only for Riddell's searing leads to take hold, whilst the lock-tight Bruce/Claydon rhythm section underpins all. Heading the charge from centre stage, Wright's lyrics act as a vivid narrative, painting pictures of ancient ritual and sprawling landscapes, somewhat reminiscent of Manilla Road and Brocas Helm in their prime Tales of witch-cult gatherings in wooded glens, pacts made in torch-lit abbeys and Victorian magic are accompanied by vintage-style hard rock riffs, snaking bass lines and stirring flute melodies. THE ELDRITCH DARK also sees the band exploring a more folksier side of their sound; most evident in the hymn-like "Lord Summerisle" and the murderous folk-rock epic, "Ballad of the Weird Sisters". 19th century sorcerer, Oliver Haddo, makes a return appearance in the riff-hypnotic album closer, "The Magician".