Khemmis
Hunted
(20 Buck Spin)
I don’t really like a good portion of fantasy stories or doom metal for the same reason: it all treads the same lazy beats and never really makes me feel anything. Oh, the orphan/doofus is the son/daughter of a once-great king/wizard/etc. and is able to save the day, discover him/herself, and laugh at those who ridiculed him/her before? Doom metal, especially since it so often invokes fantasy, feels the same retrodden way. Sabbath/Electric Wizard riffs, some soaring or screamed vocals over too-long songs and obnoxiously repetitions compositions. That’s not to say all doom (or fantasy) is garbage, but for a style that’s meant to make the listener feel something, too much doom does a poor job at being evocative.
That’s not really the problem with Khemmis’ astounding sophomore record. Just fast forward to the final three minutes of the closing title track and prepare to give yourself goosebumps. The crushing riffs are overlaid by Iron Maiden/Judas Priest-style dueling leads and Phil Pendergast’s hair-raising vocal performance. The last three minutes of this 13-minute doozy may be some of the best music you’ll hear all year, and the preceeding 41 minutes ofHunted is equally impressive.
However, what’s most fascinating about the monolithic doom Khemmis have crafted is how masterfully they’ve morphed into something different from last year’s solid debut, Absolution. Previously, the Colorado group trafficked in a stoner-y, sludgy brand of doom that felt like a midpoint between early Mastodon and Pallbearer. It was heavy and fun, sure, but it didn’t feel transcendent. It occasionally fell into some of the same traps that other doom records do, but it was pretty easily forgivable since it was just a debut. Just over a year later, and Hunted is an entirely different beast. It sounds modern thanks to an overly loud production quality (though that isn’t really an issue); yet, Khemmis have retro-fitted their sound more toward a slow and heavy rock ‘n roll formula. Hunted sounds like Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden mixed together and filtered through old-school doom. There is some welcome harsh vocals in the quick-tempoed “Three Gates”, but Pendergast’s improved voice is able to shine throughout the record.
Plus, the band has an old wizard in their two album covers and numerous lyrical references and call-backs to their debut, which make Khemmis music perfectly suited to feeling like a magical creature fighting evil. It’s truly moving music, with powerful crescendos and magnificent melodies strewn about, and what’s maybe most impressive is how the album’s two closing tracks (and its longest tracks by far) are the best representation of what the band does well, as if the band are actually better songwriters in long-form.
Overall, this may go down as a modern doom rock classic. Sure, it’s deliciously heavy, but by feeling more at home in classic rock and heavy metal than with more contemporary doom practitioners, Khemmis have become something more cohesive and impressive altogether. Doomed rock ‘n roll isn’t much of a thing, but when it’s done this well, it sure as Hell better become a thing. Hunted is easily the best thing I’ve heard all year, in what has already been a fantastic year for music (if also a terrible year otherwise). This is album of the year material for sure.
