Review: “The Doom Scroll” by Weed Demon

For the past decade Columbus Ohio’s Weed Demon have been reaching outer limits of Sludge fuelled Stoner Doom Metal with “The Doom Scroll” being their third studio album following 2015’s EP “Stoned To Death“. That’s no mean feat with the collection of veteran musicians also having a wealth of other projects on the boil, including but not limited to Wurm Sun, Domestic Terror and Elk. Engineered at StoneRipper Studios and soaked in their re-occurring themes of Science fiction, Death, Ancient Ones, Evil and Creation, the new burnt offering is adorned by artwork from Mont Doom (Ape Vermin, Phantom Wizard, Lost Caverns), their label describing it as “the audio equivalent of bong water spilled on a Ouija board“…

If you’re lucky enough to get one of 500 limited edition vinyl variants then “The Doom Scroll” runs to six tracks and thirty seven minutes as the follow up to 2020’s “Crater Maker” with three tracks on each side, the final one being a cover of “Willy the Pimp” by Frank Zappa that isn’t on the digital versions. Much to our surprise the album begins with 162 seconds of dungeon synth, appropriately named “Acid Dungeon” and laced with 8 bit dungeon crawling video game nostalgia. It’s a wonderfully palate cleansing piece with a hint of psychedelia that cures the mind of all ills before the discerning listener is transported back in time with riffs fit for worship in the Black Sabbath or perhaps High On Fire inspired “Tower Of Smoke“. The first half of that finds guitarists Andy Center and Brian Buckley offering up intertwining leads and a glorious melody before a tasteful solo hints at origins in Southern Blues. A mid tempo instrumental of the highest order, it’s the perfect soundtrack to a few beers on a Sunday morning when you’re hungover and wondering what you did last night. Shy Kennedy of Funerals (PGH) and Horehound fame gives us a guest vocal appearance on “Coma Dose“, a nine and a half minute epic of PJ Harvey like qualities. Sultry and soul stirring, its a tale of beauty and the beast once the gravelly uncleans from bassist Jordan Holland rise to the surface, the pair of vocalists being the perfect contrast. Just when you think it’s meandering into post hypnotic trance territory there is a gear change as the truck hits the freeway, a Scuzz like instrumental interplay offering some spice in the headbangable crush department.

An acoustic opening passage to “Roasting the Sacred Bones” acts as a moment of clarity before earworm riffs return with a scream from Holland, the rhythmic drive of this one injecting a dark energy. A powerhouse track and one of the albums finest moments, it has the rumbling bass and pummelling percussion that soothes the ear of even the savage beast. Slowing down for a meandering solo before kicking back into gear in the final third is also a nice touch, the final throat shredding verse confirming that death becomes clearer through bloodshot eyes. As if the title doesn’t give it away “Dead Planet Blues” feels like a sequel to “Planet Caravan” written for the West World soundtrack. Glorious acoustic guitars underpin wonderful leads that feel like they’re being performed by Zakk Wylde minus the pitch harmonics, a little bit of synth here and there adding something a little different. The aforementioned Frank Zappa cover may not be an obvious choice but make no mistake as “Willy the Pimp” has been recreated in the Weed Demon image. Abrasive vocals and a flamboyant bluesy solo are what this one is all about, that familiar groove undeniable. Soul food for the ears, “The Doom Scroll” is fine example of a good time, the thunderous riffs and ethereal explorations a journey of  surprisingly uplifting sonic inspiration [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Acid Dungeon
2. Tower of Smoke
3. Coma Dose (ft. Shy Kennedy of Funerals (PGH) and Horehound)
4. Roasting the Sacred Bones
5. Dead Planet Blues
6. Willy the Pimp (Frank Zappa Cover)

“The Doom Scroll” by Weed Demon is out 31st January 2025 via Electric Valley Records and is available over at bandcamp