Already in the last eight months or so we’ve seen MeteorCity?expand its branding, name and reach beyond the long-stated conceptions of stoner rock, acquiring and promoting acts like Farflung, Elder, Eighteen Wheels Burning?and Leeches of Lore. Braving the international scene, they now release the recently-reviewed Chronicles, by Swedish?beast metal outfit, New Keepers of the Water Towers.

And a beastly outfit they are indeed. Chronicles being comprised of two previously-issued EPs — 2007’s Chronicles of the Massive Boar?and 2008’s The Chronicles of Iceman?– listeners are granted an insider’s view of the band’s early evolution. Guitarist/lead vocalist Rasmus Booberg?took some time out the other day for a quick interview about the beginnings of?New Keepers of the Water Towers, signing to MeteorCity?and what sort of monsters they might conjure in the future. Q&A and some reading music after the jump.

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After a few listens to Chronicles, the MeteorCity debut from Stockholm‘s New Keepers of the Water Towers, it came as no surprise to learn that the hour-long full-length is actually made up of two previously released EPs. The two halves of the album — The Chronicles of Iceman and Chronicles of the Massive Boar — sound just different enough to be really distinguishable from each other, and since each offers a different take on post-Mastodon beast metal, it’s almost like you’re listening to a split between two bands, rather than one whole album.

This obviously has its ups and downs, but you should know what you’re getting into. Fortunately, neither EP sucks. 2008’s The Chronicles of Iceman, being the second New Keepers of the Water Towers (they were just New Keepers at the time) release, builds on the rudimentary beginnings of the band, while Chronicles of the Massive Boar (2007) has a sound that could be a mastered demo of the utmost quality. The kind of band you’d hear and want to sign, capsizing their tales of mythical beasts with powerful, raw chugging riffs and rhythms to strain your neck. Since all three members of the band — guitarist Rasmus Booberg, drummer Tor Sj?d?n and second guitarist Victor Berg (they’ve since added Albin R?nnblad Ericsson on bass) — contribute vocals, there is plenty of variety in the delivery throughout both, from Troy Sanders-style clean speaking/singing to caveman growls and periodic builds where it’s everything at once.

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