Album Review: Bloody Hammers – Songs Of Unspeakable Terror
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
My first encounter with the psychedelic doom and goth rock of Transylvania County’s Bloody Hammers came at Download in 2014 where the husband-and-wife duo played the fourth stage at 2pm in the afternoon. Their dark haunting sound was gripping despite the bright sunshine and I’ve followed their musical journey which began back in 2010 with interest ever since. 2019’s ‘The Summoning’ was a standout record, full of sombre and darkened tracks.
‘Songs of Unspeakable Terror’ doesn’t have the same cloak of darkness draped over it but don’t let that fool you into thinking that the band have changed their style significantly. Forced to abandon a solo tour due to the pandemic, Anders Manga locked himself away with wife and bandmate Devallia in their basement and soaked up their favourite old school classic punks including The Misfits, The Plasmatics, The Cramps and combined it with their usual strands of horror. The result is 11 songs of raw power which retain that Bloody Hammers feel whilst the subtle changes to the style and delivery make it an album that isn’t comfortably an instant successor to ‘The Summoning’, but yet retains that familiar gothic edge that the band has cultivated as its own.
Loaded with hooks and melody, ‘Songs of Unspeakable Terror’ is dynamic and fast paced, with songs like ‘Hands of The Ripper’, the opening ‘A Night to Dismember’ and ‘Night of the Witch’ featuring rock-solid heavy riffs, and Manga’s searching soulful vocals. It retains the heaviness which has always been associated with the band but also features a newer more accessible delivery that at times echoes Volbeat’s driving rockabilly and metal hybrid sound. The blend of synths and driving guitars work well to carve a sound that is distinctive. Seductive and engrossing, the bewitching flavours slowly envelope and draw the listener deep into the macabre cocktail that the band are so confident at delivering. Underneath it all lies those punk roots, evident in songs including ‘Witchfinder General’ and ‘Not of this Earth’.
There is no doubting that fans of the band will appreciate this slight left turn in direction as it retains all the traditional elements. It should also garner new fans who may as yet be unfamiliar with the band.
