My relationship with doom is convoluted at best. Some of my earliest favourites fell well into that category and then I grew to another direction entirely, yet from time to time, I really need to go back to my origins. In other words, I’m not one to jump headfirst to the pool of every hazy, ‘riffs-for-days and somewhat evil vibes’ units, but when I come across something I really like, I really fucking like it. The case with today’s premiere subject falls to the latter category, even though at first our overlords were somewhat adamant it’s not for me. Upon hearing a single however, I knew I really had to hear more and dig into it, and here we are.
Yeti On Horseback – what a fucking name, honestly – were an entirely new acquaintance to me, but a very welcome one as such. Instead of the spaced out monotony often associated with the genre, I got pummeled from here to eternity with what seems like a mighty, endless force, and I’m quite thrilled to share plenty more with you today, as we have the group’s new album Traditional Addictions streaming in full for all of our twisted delight. The album’s officially out tomorrow, but we’re taking a headstart right here, right now, so strap in, and take the plunge to this Ontarian quintet’s sonic vortex from below;
Four songs and forty-seven minutes of absolute carnation, that’s really it in a nutshell. Having been in the works for four years with themes stemming from cycles of trauma and addiction and how the two affect one another, Yeti On Horseback takes no prisoners while providing the artillery for masses on the entirety of the record, where each passing minute is like yet another layer to the tiered and murky musical pile of slowly grinding devastation. The band is truly embarking on their own foray into the world of doom, and based on the press quotes, are content with it themselves, and deservedly so;
‘This is easily our best work to date, as a rising tide lifts all ships. It’s a natural progression from our previous work and shows where the band is heading. It’s still the monumentally crushing, heavy, and damning sound of Yeti On Horseback, but with a new, more focused, thick sound and layered vocals. Working with Greg at BWC Studios elevated and challenged us further than we ever could have imagined. There is no replacement for life experience; we can all manipulate technology, but not everyone can shepherd and guide. Greg became a friend, a leader, and a contributor, proving to be the right choice at the right time.‘
The act’s previous endeavours surely deserve their own spins after you’ve done with this one, but it’s obvious that Traditional Addictions showcases the band on their current prime, on all accounts. From the deterministic acute parade of deep-striking hits of the opener “Drug Addict” to the near-droning, otherworldly vibes of the closer “Erotic Goth Dad”, Yeti On Horseback spares no punches but gladly put the listener to the recipient’s position with each and every one of them – and believe me, there are plenty. Besides the rhythmically delivering things, everything comes fluently together from the vocals and instrumental craftsmanship to the production and general ambiance of it all, and I genuinely think that Yeti On Horseback should be one every doom-lover’s checklist and beyond. They know really fucking well what they’re doing, and I’m glad I took a chance on them.
Traditional Addictions is out tomorrow, a.k.a July 24, independently, which deserves its own round of applause, so you better head to the merry dressed men’s general direction to secure those physical and digital orders. The gods of doom demand it, and so do I.
Promo photo by David Hall, graphic featured image by Matt Meiller
