There’s few underground labels as consistent as Cruz del Sur Music. The Italian boutique label boasts Pharaoh, Smoulder, and obscure luminaries The Lord Weird Slough Feg, just to name a few. Also among their ranks is veteran doom metallers, Pale Divine. For the last 25 years, Pale Divine have crafted their own distinct take on doom metal; a take that is firmly rooted with one foot in the future and the other in the past. Consequence of Time is their sixth full length album and first on the Cruz del Sur label.
Consequence of Time opens with the warm, hard rock flavored doom of “Tyrants & Pawns (Easy Prey)”. Loaded with groovy riffage and soulful vocals, it sounds like Thin Lizzy had they existed long enough to dabble in doom metal. This influence also shines on tracks such as “Shadow’s Own”, “Broken Martyr”, and “Saints of Fire”. They’re hooky, memorable, and something you can tap your toes too. Which raises the question…is it truly doom metal? Why of course. The riffs have that thick, doomy tone, even if there’s a hard rock approach behind them.
The remaining four songs explore various styles in the metal/hard rock realm. “Satan in Starlight” is a psychedelic Sabbath inspired romp, even down to the vocals which evoke Sabotage era Ozzy. My favorite part of this song is the guitar solo. The duo of founding member Greg Diener and latest addition Dana Ortt let loose throughout the entire album, but especially on this jam. It’s a throwback to the days of six string heroes like Frank Marino and Uli Jon Roth. These legends earned their stripes by unabashedly unleashing unrelenting fretwork, which in turn inspired legions of young guitarists to follow in their footsteps. I can’t help but think Diener and Ortt were among these legions once upon a time.
“Phantasmagoria” is the darkest and heaviest song on Consequence, as well as the only track that legitimately gives the listener a sense of doom. The 10 minute title track throws in touches of prog and psychedelia, while my second favorite track, “No Escape”, is a NWOBHM tinged rocker. Is there anything Pale Divine can’t do? Probably not.
Consequence of Time will satisfy the most tried and true doomers, as well as anyone with a hunger for traditional metal, and even good ol’ fashioned rock n’ roll! Pale Divine walks lightly and carries some big riffs…or whatever Theodore Roosevelt said.
7 out of 10
Label: Cruz del Sur Music
Genre: Doom Metal
For fans of: Corrosion of Conformity, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy