Review: “Beneath A Sky That Breaks” by Blood Of The Earth

Having started their journey down the left hand path in 2023, Tampa Florida atmospheric Sludge fuelled Doom Metal project Blood Of The Earth made waves with their debut EP “…And the Pillars Shook” a year later. Founded by married duo Jeff Golden (ex-Crowbar) and Katie Golden (ex-The Convalescence) who are both members of super group Master’s Ashes the project began as an exploration of instrumental density with the cinematic sprawl of Post-Metal interwoven into its fabric. Two years later the duo are joined by vocalist J. Costa (Thy Will Be Done) as well as guest guitarists Afzaal Nasiruddeen (Crisis, Masters Ashes) and Adam Phillips (ex-Pro-Pain, ex-Indorphine) for sophomore record “Beneath A Sky That Breaks“, completing their work in the studio under the watchful eye of acclaimed producer Ryan Boesch (Melvins, Whores).

Instrumentally Jeff Golden handles guitars and bass while Katie Golden who some may know as Katie McCrimmon provides percussion and keys, their connection with J. Costa stemming from the fact that Jeff has performed live with Thy Will Be Done in the dim and distant past as a fill in. The record begins with a slow burning Post-Metal introduction of luke warm foreboding keys and battery acid nausea inducing churning guitars laced in feedback before the pummelling percussion provides weight and urgency to title track “Beneath a Sky That Breaks“. Costa’s unmistakable vocals ring out defiantly with lines like “We crawl through it!” his drawled moments adding another dimension to the visceral and confrontational piece as he shakes his fist at the sky in the wake of the actions of a wrathful god. Sonically there is a real science fiction horror atmosphere to the piece, something which is only enhanced in the final moments.

Delicate clean vocals from Katie Golden give “The Constellation” an almost ethnic vibe between harsh screamed choruses, the churn and burn riffage matching the intensity to create something of epic proportions that draws obvious comparisons with the works of bands like Hundred Year Old Man. Carrying the weight of a ten thousand souls, the track echoes around the skull with a hummable quality and will soon have audiences swaying like marionettes before screaming along with Costa, such is the infectious quality of this dark offering.

A couple of bright piano moments and a cool, calm and collected solo add depth and texture to the overcast storms warning that is “Barren Oasis” like shafts of light through the black clouds of its wall of noise. Despite the bleak nature of the beast it feels strangely uplifting as the band embrace the low end dirge and corroded textures, dragging everything back from oblivion at the last possible second. Dark whispers give a haunting quality to the introduction of the soul stirring “Petrichor” which strays into Type O Negative territory, perhaps offering a glimpse at one of its many influences. The cries of “why are you still haunting me?” have a classic 80’s synth pop quality to them which is glorious in contrast to those weighty guitars. A cover of the Ministry classic “Filth Pig” completes the collection in style, the band putting their own stamp on the cut while leaving it distinctively recognisable, the bass heavy approach and vicious screamed vocals chemically enhanced with some intriguing industrially tinged keys… [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Beneath a Sky That Breaks
2. The Constellation
3. Barren Oasis
4. Petrichor
5. Filth Pig (Ministry Cover)

“Beneath A Sky That Breaks” by Blood Of The Earth is out 23rd October 2026 and is available over at bandcamp