Secret Order Of Tusk Sick Of Living/Unwilling To Die
Self released Dome 2004
By Russell Garwood
Sludgier than an accident at a sewage factory, Secret Order Of Tusk play raw stoner/doom, with some melody and plenty of twisted atmosphere. Yes, the guys behind Sick Of Living/Unwilling To Die have some perverse inspiration. The front cover is a picture of one of the Zodiac Killers victims, while the sleeve features one of his letters, threatening to wipe out a school bus some morning. Just shoot out the front tire [sic] and then pick off the kiddies as they come bouncing out. Add lyrics based on the serial killers poems, and you have some seriously dark stuff. This all comes from drummer Vadim, guitarist Rafael Martinez, and bass player Clint Ragsdale of Gammera, who are joined by guitarist Jason James, previously of Greenhouse Effect.
The music features crashing drums nothing too complex, but effective nevertheless and mid-paced, groove-laden guitars. The bass is hidden behind slightly murky production, while the lyrics are bellowed feverishly over the top. Good use is made of noise in places, and disharmonies add to the pitch black atmosphere. The sporadic changes in tempo, from monolithic, crushing sections to faster, equally relentless passages make for a more interesting sound. Sick Of Living/Unwilling To Die is a professional and unusual demo. It is well worth checking out if youre into sludge, and feel like some very dark listening. With the natural evolution that occurs when a band cements its style, Secret Order Of Tusk have a bright future.
7/10
Official Secret Order Of Tusk website
Official Rock Action Records website
Self released Dome 2004
By Russell Garwood
Sludgier than an accident at a sewage factory, Secret Order Of Tusk play raw stoner/doom, with some melody and plenty of twisted atmosphere. Yes, the guys behind Sick Of Living/Unwilling To Die have some perverse inspiration. The front cover is a picture of one of the Zodiac Killers victims, while the sleeve features one of his letters, threatening to wipe out a school bus some morning. Just shoot out the front tire [sic] and then pick off the kiddies as they come bouncing out. Add lyrics based on the serial killers poems, and you have some seriously dark stuff. This all comes from drummer Vadim, guitarist Rafael Martinez, and bass player Clint Ragsdale of Gammera, who are joined by guitarist Jason James, previously of Greenhouse Effect.
The music features crashing drums nothing too complex, but effective nevertheless and mid-paced, groove-laden guitars. The bass is hidden behind slightly murky production, while the lyrics are bellowed feverishly over the top. Good use is made of noise in places, and disharmonies add to the pitch black atmosphere. The sporadic changes in tempo, from monolithic, crushing sections to faster, equally relentless passages make for a more interesting sound. Sick Of Living/Unwilling To Die is a professional and unusual demo. It is well worth checking out if youre into sludge, and feel like some very dark listening. With the natural evolution that occurs when a band cements its style, Secret Order Of Tusk have a bright future.
7/10
Official Secret Order Of Tusk website
Official Rock Action Records website
