https://www.high-endrolex.com/18

The Ashen Doom of Dusted Angel

I think this is the cover. Hard to tell sometimes.The three tracks with which Santa Cruz doomers Dusted Angel make their debut on their self-titled 7? through Corruption Recordings are the kind of songs that one could easily develop a sentimental attachment to, and by that I mean although for the most part they?re stripped-down and raw unto their essential riff-based elements with little frills or unexpected movements, the post-High on Fire energy with which they?re delivered nonetheless brings out a welcome feeling in the hearing. Put on the vinyl and it?s almost like a secret you?re keeping with yourself. Don?t tell anyone, but Dusted Angel kind of rocks.

Side A is comprised of ?The Thorn,? while B gets the shorter ?Valium 5? and ?Purple Jesus,? and all three tracks manage to keep a sense of vitality in the form of varying speeds and vocal approaches from singer Clifford Dinsmore. One could argue that the last minute and a half of ?Valium 5? — which might be my pick of the bunch — is just a big doom finish. The faster, instrumental ?Purple Jesus? is a straightforward rocker that carries a ?90s groove ably in the guitars of Eric Feiber and Scott Stevens and is over before you know it. There?s really no reason the song couldn?t have had vocals, but if nothing else it sets a precedent so that when they put the 20-minute wordless jam on their inevitable full-length they can say, ?I told you so.?

He's got something to say. (Photo by Garin Miles)?The Thorn? is a clear choice for introducing the band to new listeners, with an oldschool doom foreboding and solid rhythmic foundation from drummer Bill Torgerson and bassist Eliot Young. You wouldn?t be wrong to say Dusted Angel are old school, at least in their riffing, and despite being a relatively new band, their pedigree can be traced back to Dinsmore?s time in Gargantula and Spaceboy, and his and Torgerson?s founding tenure in SST hardcore unit, Bl?ast. Given that, Dusted Angel are a safe bet for getting picked up by this or that purveyor of doomly wares (Eyes Like Snow, who put out Apostle of Solitude?s brilliant debut, would be a good fit), so don?t be surprised when you hear about them again following this brief greeting. In the meantime, they can still be your little secret.

Dusted Angel on MySpace

Corruption Recordings

Tags: , ,

Leave a Reply