It's extremely satisfying as a metalhead when a band's moniker holds no illusions about what they sound like. Case in point: Sweden's up-and-coming doom steamrollers Mammoth Storm. One look at that name, and it's pretty easy surmise what these guys are all about.
While relatively new to the scene, their 2015 debut Fornjot turned many heads in the doom underground with its churning grooves and massive riffs. Electric Wizard, Windhand and fellow Swedes Monolord are good reference points for the style of doom Mammoth Storm conjure, but as they prove with their sophomore record Alruna, they're burrowing out a notch all their own on the great wall of doom. Stream the album in full below.
The album's title is derived from the mythical plant Mandragora, which has been associated with many superstitions and tales of witchcraft. Roll your eyes all you want, but one spin of Alruna ought to quell any skepticism you have about Mammoth Storm. These Swedes know how to write a good riff, and at the end of the day, isn't what doom is all about? Fans of the aforementioned bands and earth-shaking tunes that are slow, low and heavy should definitely check this one out.
Alruna drops tomorrow, June 28 via Argonauta Records. Get your copy here.
