Saint Karloff – Paleolithic War Crimes

After the monster one track opus Interstellar Voodoo, Saint Karloff took their time with a follow up. Instead of delivering more of the same Paleolithic War Crimes sees the band inject some very unexpected prog, psych and retro vibes into their established doom sound. I am a fan of my heavy doom but had initially not paid much attention to this album because I thought do I need to hear another sabbath worshiping doom album? I dismissed Paleolithic War Crimes assuming it would be another rethread of their previous work. I am eating a massive slice of humble pie as that preconception has been well and truly blown out of the water by a great set of songs

 

It eases you in gentry (if that’s not a contradiction) with two stomping heavy tracks Psychedelic Man and Blood Meridian that nod towards classic heavy rock from the 70s. Now that everyone’s warmed up and comfortable Among Stone Columns serves up an acoustic reprise that wouldn’t be out of place on a Wishbone Ash album.

 

Bone Cave Escape is to my ears the first of two-standout tracks of the album. Starting with a crushing groove. Switching gears at the half way point to strut seamlessly in to what can only be described as a prog dreamscape complete with keyboards, strings and Spanish guitar flourishes.  Nothing to Come runs with this theme and goes full Jethro Tull. The vocal is a close impression (if that’s not to unkind) or at least heavily influenced by Ian Anderson.  It doesn’t quite abandon the heaviness with outbreaks of Lizzy-esc riffing and Deep Purple Hammond Organ but these two tracks are a real revelation. They finish of the album with two more stompers but it has to be said Supralux Voyager’s coda again embraces the prog elements with a long jam seeing us to the finish line.

I think it’s fair to say this is an unexpected joy of an album and will land on a lot of top ten lists come years end (including my own). The heavy tracks deliver enough weight to satisfy but it feels like a transitional phase for this band. One that sees them trying to decide where they are going next.

 

If they decide the one/two punch of the middle tracks with the addition of strings, acoustic guitars, Keyboards, Tull, Purple, Lizzy and Wishbone Ash flavours is the way to go then Saint Karloff could follow Crypt Trip in discarding their doom roots completely to follow a much more intriguing and musically satisfying path for both band and listeners.

 

-Bobo Coen