Caravan Of Whores: Road To Kurti

By RingMaster Review on September 13, 2012 • ( 0 )

Reading their bio before entering into the vast heavy soundscapes of Road To Kurti from UK doom band Caravan Of Whores, it said ‘…we do not sound like anyone else because we are ourselves and comfortable in our own skin…’ After sharing multiple journeys with the EP it really is hard to raise any disagreement to their claim. The genre they create their deep and rich storms within is well trodden and been expanded again and again over recent years, but there is something about this Oxfordshire trio which is openly different and refreshing.

Formed in May 2009, though the name has been around since 2002, the threesome of vocalist and bassist Pete Smith, guitarist John Slaymaker, and drummer Jamie Gillett, has built a formidable reputation for their sounds and live performances. The past years has seen them play alongside the likes of Serpent Venom, Bendal Interlude, Godsized, XII Boar, Desert Storm, Grifter, and Dopefight to name just a few, with 2011 alone finding the band playing over 50 shows. Debut EP, A Cosmic Interlude of last year, drew strong attention and acclaim their way with one track being featured on a compilation front cover CD from Metal Hammer. Road To Kurti finds the band taking their sound further forward whilst being destined to capture more eager hearts with its doom driven sludge wrapped sounds.

The opening track Drug Queen takes no time in swamping the ear with vibrant and resonating labouring riffs, their hearty crawl an oppressive yet magnetic treacle weave. As the track through its eight minute plus presence lumbers across the senses with a weighty taunting breath, the rhythms of Gillett skilfully plunders and scampers across the thick mass they rupture to bring a countering eager energy to the intensity. The song is an ever shifting muscular creature with caustic dazzling guitar solos and melodic spires of burning sonics to offer an unpredictable and mesmeric source of pleasure. At times one almost feels the track is part improv as it meanders throughout its climax but it is simply pure organic control and skill at play.

The following Mr Bendyman, another lengthy treat to captivate throughout, shuffles the senses with further strong rhythmic punches, expressive energy sucking guitar craft, and heady consuming riffs. The song sucks the fire from the air transforming it into deeper sludge tar to be welcomingly overwhelmed by whilst sending shards of metallic melodic sparks across the senses to break up the intensive weight of the piece. The vocals of Smith, as with all tracks, are expressive and a great fit to the sounds though arguably could have been drawn out more in production as they are at times a little swamped by the music.

To be fair it is hard to express everything which explodes and permeates from within the massive tracks on the EP as with each listen one is finding something new to chew upon such the richness of sound and writing. The excellent Your God Is Dead is a great example, each visit revealing a new depth and twist to its consumptive hulk. Emerging as favourite track, the song is a fuzzy piece of combative and challenging intent. It has a punk edge to its inciteful energy and heart whilst hitting further diversity upon the release through its almost classic metal stabs and peaks. The track is a crushing riled tempest which sparks with a raw abrasive might to ignite real passion for its formidable sound.

Closing with the scorched stoner tinged Waiting, a track at a short five minutes but no less impactful and enthralling, the EP is a mighty piece of honest metal. With essences of bands such as Kyuss, Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, and Orange Goblin to its muscled tones, Road To Kurti is an impressive storm brought by a band in Caravan Of Whores, which is building to be of the real giants in the future of UK metal.

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RingMaster 13/09/2012