Rarely does a title describe so succinctly the contents of an album. Vampyromorpha (not sure about that name) eschew the current trend of reworking Sabbath numbers or trying to be the new Blue Cheer in favour of mixing Pentagram and Trouble with cheesy Hammer horror and gothic (small g ) punk and roll. Fiendish tales of Doom is chock a schlock block with Tales of the Crypt stylings giving the whole collection a gig in a drive in movie feel.
This is a two man project with Jim Grant providing the voice and Hammond organ and Nemes Black guitar, bass and drums and after 2 years they feel ready to unleash this upon us.
Unleash they do, with opener “Deliver Us From the Good” creeping in like a B movie vamp before exploding into an anthem that evokes Type O and Volbeat in equal measures. “Haxanhammer” is next. A couple of years ago I was pretty ignorant of Malleus Maleficarum, or the Hammer of Witches but thanks to Cradle of Filth’s excellent recent release that changed. Here the Vamps offer their own account of this terrible tome that persecuted so many women for centuries. Vampyromorpha hail from Bavaria – a region that suffered more than most in mainland Europe in the churches persecution of “Witches”. There is a real “stomp” to this track with the Hammond swirling beneath a meaty riff which builds into a crushing chorus which combines a throaty roar with a clean vocal that reminds me of Joey Belladonna.
Power metal gets mixed in a little for “Metuschelach Life Cycle” with the Hammond providing a grandiose church organ backing for a fast paced metal gallop. This is certainly a long way from what is being peddled as “Doom” in 2016. Vampyromorpha love a big riff but the storytelling, atmosphere and a good dose of “Metaaaaal” are certainly high up on the agenda too. “Satans Palace” is the centrepiece of the seven tracks served up. It is double the length of its 6 siblings and changes directions several times over its length. There is a bit of a proggy vibe here with noughties metal layered with The Mission, Killing Joke and straight up hard rock. It loses it’ ways a few times during its journey and I find myself wishing for the brevity of its predecessors.
“Bacchus” which follows is a Hammond filled paean to the god of wine and debauchery and showcases the bands doom and roll approach to music which permeates most of the compositions on “Fiendish Tales..” It’s like Clutch, Trouble and Diamond Head at a lock in. “Peine Forte Et Dure” brings the album proper to a close serving almost as a cocktail of all that has come before it – a doomy rocker with tales of ill doing.
The album was originally released digitally in the Autumn of 2015 but with this release by Trollzorn Records the band have added a bonus track in the form of “I am So Afraid” by Fleetwood Mac.
The original is a bluesy hard rock number buried deep in Mac’s eponymously titled 1975 album. Vampyromorpha transform it into a Eurometal doom fest with soaring guitar solos. It’s over the top and pompy as fuck but it works.
The press release that accompanies this album talks about Adult Orientated Doom Rock. I think that is a pigeon hole too far and underplays the sense of fun and rawk n roll spirit they have. Vampyromorpha bring the darkness without getting morose and combine great musicianship with a knack for a hook that gives this a good chance of repeat plays in an oversaturated Doom playing field.
(7.5/10 Matt Mason)
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