SubRosa - No Help For The Mighty Ones (2011)

Full Length, Profound Lore Records
March 1st, 2011

Genre: Sludge/Doom Metal
Region: USA

Better late then never on this one. I haven't heard any of SubRosa's previous releases but this has left a definite impression on me.

Soft and clean, folk-like droning female vocals (reminiscent of sedated Nerissa Campbell) pull you into the gloomy dark while fuzzy and slow guitar/bass leads lift you up into a hazey peak, crashing back down riff after riff. Among these elements are the excellent placement of the electric violin used by two of the ladies which sound eerily like trumpets, never overused and accent the drugged out atmosphere. Pacing is set by slow and steady doom drum beats. The forlorn, intoxicated atmosphere boarders on psychedelic with the wavy violins and subtle wah/noise effects but the constant, slow groans of the guitars and very abrupt sections of coarse growls from the singer keeps this in the realm of dreamy sludge. A noticeable and unique sound, well composed and executed. "No Help For The Mighty Ones" is extremely catchy and heavy.

Some of the musical and melancholic lyrical themes are inspired by books ("The Road" and "War Against The Weak") and Russian fairy tales, and there are subtle touches of a hammered dulcimer, harmonica, chime, and thumb piano. There are a few guest musicians the contribute to various songs and one of the closing tracks ("House Carpenter") is an acapella rendition of a Celtic folk song.

I've seen comparisons to Neurosis but I would place them more along side early A Storm of Light if they were more stoner oriented. Definitely recommended. Pick it up from Profound Lore or from SubRosa's store. Listen to it on their bandcamp page.

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