ALBUM REVIEW: Book of Wyrms - "Sci-fi/Fantasy"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 01/01/2017

Label: Twin Earth Records

The legendary Hawkwind would be happy with the sounds exhibited on “Nightbong”, while the darkness on “All Hollows Eve” is right in sync with Uncle Acid et al.  This is a good record which combines some of the best of space/stoner/doom in one package. A band to watch in 2017.

“Sci Fi/Fantasy” CD/DD track listing:

1). Leatherwing Bat

2). Infinite Walrus

3). Cosmic Filth

4). Nightbong

5). All Hollows Eve

6). Transcendental Migraine

7). Sourwolf

The Review:

The title says it all here; this is a very adept combination of stoner/spacey rock and doom/trad metal- thus melding the elements of science fiction and sword and sorcery themes to great effect. Richmond. Virginia has given us some big names in metal in the past (Lamb of God) and some real cult favourites (Alabama Thunderpussy). Perhaps Book of Wyrms will be joining one of those camps?

“Leatherwing Bat”is a rollicking and loping groove which languidly rolls out of the speakers. Songs are lengthy and sprawling in the main and the production is pleasingly fuzzy and live sounding (you can hear the snare rattle when only the bass plays- no cutting of tape here).

A track by track is not really necessary here; if you like the vibe, you'll like the album. You get lead guitar, slow and rolling grooves, spacey vibes and some pretty serious doom action along with clean vocals (female- they suit the album very well) and distorted bass. There are some time signatures outside of the 4:4 range (“Cosmic Filth”) and the whole record has a pleasingly lo-fi quality, while never sounding any less than mighty.

The legendary Hawkwindwould be happy with the sounds exhibited on “Nightbong”, while the darkness on “All Hollows Eve” is right in sync with Uncle Acid et al. As noted in the opening paragraph, the band manage to meld two of the major thematics of the stoner/doom spectrum to great effect, while even replicating some of the raunch and swing of Monster Magnet in places.

The closing eleven minutes plus of “Sourwolf” is a beastly (pun intended) way to finish the album. For me, though, if you were to want a stand out... give “Transcendental Migraine” a try. This is a good record which combines some of the best of space/stoner/doom in one package. A band to watch in 2017.

“Sci Fi/Fantasy” is available here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook