(Doom/Heavy Metal) Age Of Taurus - In The Days Of The Taurean Empire (Demo) - 2010, FLAC (tracks+.cue) lossless

Age Of Taurus is a two piece band which Toby W. Wright on vocals, guitars and bass, together with Sam 'Shredder' Thredder on drums and this is a big HEADS UP for the doomsters reading this. This UK band will be playing the "Born To Be Doomed Fest" on July 2nd and the next day as well as far as i know. You won't want to miss them because this 4 track demo is a awesome slice of classic traditional Doom Metal. Influenced by the likes of Candlemass, Penance, Mercy, Stillborn, Pagan Altar, Revelation, Orodruin, Saxon, Count Raven, Brocas Helm, Dark Quarterer and Black Sabbath, Age Of Taurus have the skills to give you the doom thrills! While there is nothing new here or original, the band have a timeless, classic sound that should make them favorites among fans of the Doom Metal underground.
"Unto The Hour Of The Dead" starts off with a gargantuan riff that is like being hit repeatedly with a sledgehammer, the sound is amazingly thick and full for a demo. In fact its a bigger sound than you get on most albums released on major labels. If the opening riff doesn't knock you in the dirt, the mid-tempo switch that occurs around halfway through will. This is pulverizing, infectious kick ass Doom Rock And Roll. If your tastes revolve around big, solid chunky riffing then this is a tune that will satisfy all your headbanging needs. The vocals of Toby W Wright also have quality written all over them, a generic approach to singing but such a strong, charismatic voice that is getting harder to find these days. "Unto The Hour Of The Dead" is a monster, unforgettable slab of sonic musical brilliance. "Unborn Destroyer" is another powerful expression of crushing Doom Metal rifferama, the production on this track is so good that you can literally hear fingers sliding across the strings and most likely tearing the skin. The sinister riffs that are matched by pounding drums and Wright's clear and melodic vocal lines create a atmosphere that is impossible to get out of your head. This is Doom Metal to bang your head to but more importantly, the song-writing excellence is only further enhance by some incredibly tight and solid playing, not to mention the outstanding production.
"Barren" attacks from the opening seconds with a classic top-shelf riff that gallops and bubbles along in more of the infectious style that Age Of Taurus have seemed to have mastered. There is not much at all in the way of lead solo's, this band is all about the riff and really its all they need when you have riffs that are this good. The final track, "The Age Of Taurus" is the longest tune at 7 minutes and its another monumental piece of Doom Metal. Another gargantuan riff starts the proceedings backed up with some fine bass lines till at the 2 minute mark of the song where a powerhouse of a crushing riff is unleashed. The vocals again create a sinister atmosphere for the song which never stops in its building of epic intensity till the last couple of minutes where it gets a dose of adrenalin with a mid-tempo boost to take the tune till its conclusion. At only 23 minutes long, the shortness of the demo is a cruel way to treat the listener, you will want more instantly after hearing this. Age Of Taurus needs a full-length album out ASAP, i will have this demo destroyed at the rate i am spinning this beast. Its in limited supply but you can click here Demo for purchase @ Shadow Kingdom Records or order through their Myspace page. This is easily one of the greatest demo's ever recorded by a Doom Rock band and one of the releases of the year so far. Its a pity its so painfully short though, bring on a album soon please. 10/10
- Doommantia

Toby W. Wright - Vocals, Guitar
Sam Thredder - Drums