Bast – Spectres (Burning World Records)

Bast are a 3 piece from London who deals in Doom and suffocating atmospheres. They have been on the circuit now for 6 years and in that time have perfected their sound whilst supporting the likes of Ufomammut, Bong and more recently with Conan. “In the Beginning” plunges headfirst into a black metal workout along the lines of WITTR, caustic and brimming with intensity; this is before dropping like a brick into the doom laden riffs. Vocally it switches between a shouted chant like sound to full on razor growls and screams. The production fills the speakers and gives a sense of expanse especially during the tom work in “Psychonauts” which chips away at your nerves building gradually and making subtle changes before a full scale sludge attack is launched. “Outside the Circles of Time” begins with a clean guitar and mellow vibe that the likes of Cult of Luna produce; it is a welcomed respite from what has come before. It doesn’t last long before the band kick back in with full power and takes the song to a crushing conclusion. The album length has been pitched just right and they have made use of every second to produce this dense slab of headmelting doom with a side dish of black metal. As far as debuts go this has to rank up there with the best of them.

Tracklisting
1. In the Beginning
2. Denizens
3. Spectres
4. Psychonauts
5. Outside the Circles Of Time

Band Members

Gavin Thomas – Bass
Jon Lee – Drums, Vocals
Craig Bryant – Vocals, Guitars