Deer Creek – Mammon (Self-Release)
By Michael Ballue
September 10, 2005

Interesting three tracker here from this trio featuring Game Two helmsmen and Iron Kind vocalist Conan Hultgren. Don't expect Iron Kind Part 2 here though, this is something else entirely. Sure it's got doom as a major element, but there the similarity stops. Here in place of Iron Kind's heavy boogie element is a fair chunk of hardcore influence. Unlike Sludge (the most known outcome of mixing doom and hardcore) this mixture isn't overwhelmingly thick in that crowded/claustrophobic way that Sludge is. This is more bleak and desolate. It definitely has a creepy vibe. It would make a good soundtrack to the Donner Party heading into the pass surrounded by barren skeletal trees, dirt and rock.

There are some things that definitely fall into the "cuts both ways" category here also. The guitar sound warms up and thickens a bit on certain riffs and sounds really great when it does. This leads to a desire to hear more of that… but then again too much more of that would rob this of some of it's unique sound and vibe. The production is definitely not a big budget affair and while at times, I wished I could hear what some real power there would do to this, I fear it would actually detract.

The vocals are definitely a few shades harsher than Conan's Liebling-reminiscent output with Iron Kind. Solid rhythm section, often working all together with guitar for a three pronged pummeling. All in all a worthwhile, but somewhat difficult release. It's uniqueness keeps calling me back to it, but it's by no means an easy listen. A full length would probably induce major Depression with psychotic features. A band to watch....

deercreekdoom@aol.com

Kevin

Conan really does a scary-close Bobby Liebling. Is Iron Kind still around? I've got their EP from a few years ago and dig it, but the silence from that camp is deafening.

This, on the other hand, sounds interesting. The picture is clear enough that I think I would probably like this release better than a full length. Don't harsh my mellow, man!

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