Four years have passed since Place of Skulls released The Black is Never Far, their third album, which was in many ways the culmination of a tumult that brought the band many changes, highs and lows. Guitarist/vocalist Victor Griffin — best known for his work in Pentagram contributing to the Maryland/D.C. doom legacy, though he actually lives in Knoxville, Tennessee these days – has always been at the helm, and that remains true as he brings together the original Place of Skulls trio for their new album, As a Dog Returns. Drummer Tim Tomaselli and bassist/vocalist Lee Abney have both been back in the band for a couple of years, replacing the likes of Pete Campbell (Sixty Watt Shaman) and Dennis Cornelius (ex-Revelation), but As a Dog Returns marks the first studio output the trio has released since Southern Lord put out Nailed in 2001.

And for those who haven’t heard Place of Skulls since then, or for those who perhaps are stuck on 2003’s epic With Vision — on which Griffin united with Scott “Wino” Weinrich (The Obsessed, Saint Vitus, etc.) to release one of the finest traditional doom albums of its decade – you should know a lot has changed. Of course, Griffin is still a master riffer. He has been since the days of Death Row, but sound-wise, Place of Skulls is a much different band than they were nine, seven or even four years ago. In 2010, their sound is still rooted in doom, but as the lead songwriter, Griffin doesn’t shy away from balladry either. The third track on As a Dog Returns, “Though He Slay Me,” is essentially a power ballad about Jesus, and the follow-up, the “Planet Caravan”-esque “Psalm,” isn’t far off that either, at least for the first two and a half minutes. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that after a career touching five decades (Death Row formed in 1979) Griffin’s songwriting should have matured, but the doom on As a Dog Returns isn’t miserable, isn’t downtrodden. It seems to rise up to its challenges. It has hope.

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It’s too bad that “In a world…” movie preview voice-over guy is dead, because he’d be perfect for this trailer. “In a world where scrunchy hardcore kids think they know something about playing doom, one man stands apart from the pack…” and so forth. It would be awesome, but fortunately the music speaks for itself when it comes to Victor Griffin‘s Place of Skulls. Their new album, As a Dog Returns, is due out late September.

I don’t care if he is a Jeezaroo, Victor Griffin plays DOOOM. And that ain’t your standard variety two ‘o’ doom either, it’s DOOOM, all caps, three ‘o’s. This guy’s the fucking king of it.

Place of Skulls, who once upon a time released one of the greatest doom albums of all time in the form of With Vision, are back in September with the new album, As a Dog Returns. It’s their first record in four years, so you know Mr. Griffin‘s been putting riffs in his back pocket for a while now.

For those willing to pick it up, here’s what the PR wire’s puttin’ down:

Knoxville, Tennessee doom metallers Place of Skulls are pleased to announce the upcoming release of their long-awaited fourth full-length, As a Dog Returns. The follow-up to 2006’s The Black is Never Far was recorded at Lakeside Studios in Knoxville by Travis Wyrick and founding guitarist/vocalist Victor Griffin (Pentagram, Death Row, Cathedral, Joe Hasselvander) with drums recorded and engineered by Mike Dearing.

Said Griffin of the band’s latest output: “The new album As a Dog Returns picks up dynamically where The Black is Never Far left off. Where The Black… album had a bit more of a depressive theme lyrically, the new album tends to look to a brighter outcome. Musically we’ve gone further than ever before with dynamics and production. Though all the Place of Skulls’ brand of heaviness you would expect is certainly there, there’s a nice ebb and flow with quieter parts which tend to set a very dramatic and melancholy mood at times to the overall album.

“With every album we’ve done,” he continues, “our growth and progression has been evident, and this new release is no different. I’m really enjoying the growth of my songwriting as time goes by. I don’t feel as if I have anything to prove so I think the writing gets more open, honest, and genuine with every release.

We’re very excited to finally get a new album out and hit the road again! Look for As As a Dog Returns to be available in late September!”

As a Dog Returns track listing:
1. Timeless Hearts
2. Breath of Life
3. Though He Slay Me
4. Psalm
5. Dayspring
6. The Maker
7. He’s God
8. Desperation
9. As a Dog Returns

If I could, I’d pay good money to see Victor Griffin playing guitar in Pentagram tonight. Unfortunately, I don’t live anywhere near Raleigh, North Carolina, so it’s a big no dice. One can only imagine the doom to take place on this latest Pentagram tour — one of these days, they’re gonna have to put out a record if they want to keep playing all these shows — but stuck here in Jersey, that’s a long way away. Maybe next time.

If you’re below the Mason/Dixon, you’ll probably want to pay attention to these tour dates from the PR wire:

Legendary doom band Pentagram have just announced the Southern US tour dates with Relapse recording artist Black Tusk. This tour will kick-off in Raleigh, NC and finish at the Maryland Deathfest. A listing of confirmed tour dates and cities can be found below.

May tour will feature the following band members:

Victor Griffin – guitar
Greg Turley – bass
Gary Isom – drums
Bobby Liebling – the madman on the mic

Pentagram Tour Dates:
May 21 Raleigh, NC Volume 11 Tavern
May 22 Savannah, GA The Jinx
May 23 Orlando, FL The Backbooth
May 25 Houston, TX Walter’s On Washington
May 26 Austin, TX Emo’s
May 27 New Orleans, LA The Hanger
May 28 Nashville, TN The End
May 29 Newport, KY Southgate House
May 30 Baltimore, MD Maryland Deathfest VIII

I don’t know what this does to the release schedule for the new Place of Skulls album, but it’s been announced that legendary guitarist Victor Griffin (also of Death Row) has rejoined Pentagram for their tour dates later this month leading to their performance at the Maryland Deathfest at the Sonar in Baltimore. Hey, at least he’ll know the songs, which, from what I understand, will put him miles ahead of the replacement the band had for the departed Russ Strahan on their last string of shows.

By a bit of luck, I caught Griffin with Pentagram when he joined them on stage at last year’s Planet Caravan festival in North Carolina, and it fucking ruled, so I would think with a week-long tour’s worth of tightness behind the performance it could only get better. Support for the shows comes courtesy of the oh-so-hot-right-now Black Tusk. The announcement kind of flew under the radar, but here it is, courtesy of The Pentagram Archives‘ MySpace page:

Pentagram in association with Barley & Hops Management, The Pantheon Agency, and The Pentagram Archives announce:

The May 2010 Spring Tour of Pentagram will feature the following musicians performing:

Bobby Liebling: Vocals
Victor Griffin: Guitars
Greg Turley: Bass
Gary Isom: Drums

I’m hitting the road in about an hour — holiday travels — but I wanted to take a quick second and wish everyone a happy Xmas and say I hope you get some time off work, school or whathaveyou, and a chance to relax and the rest of it. The music industry at large shuts down next week, but I’ll be here. We’ll finish up the top 10 of the year and maybe talk about some shows and other stuff to wind down 2009. Meantime, be safe, be well, be merry. Enjoy Victor Griffin and Place of Skulls doing “Silver Cord Breaks” from With Vision — one of the best traditional doom records of the decade.

Cheers.