Doom Saloon - POD PEOPLE

[Lax Charisma]

,
In short well fucking worth the wait. Before the disc even hits the cd player the artwork is blowing you out of the fucking water and then once you hit the play button
O.K. you know how people have been going on (mostly media wankers) about how the new Korn (speak of the devils they just showed up on Rage right this moment) album is so heavy and has been recorded on a new state of the art desk blah, blah, wank, wank, look out your speakers are going to blow. Well I can't say I've heard that korn disc but I can tell you this much my speakers shat themselves as soon as Doom Saloon kicked into gear. First track "Filling the Void" is fucking killer...ohh c'mon! yeah, that's what I like to hear. Thats what I think is so cool about this disc, it's like Cathedral or something totally heavy but totally fun as well, It's not like all tough guy and shit, it's fucking great to smoke to and just fucking blows my mind. "Subterranean" sprawls across ten minutes and you don't notice for a second it just draws you in and then it's over...Fuck these are my two favourite tracks so far I've only just got this so it will be a while before it totally unwinds, but fucking trust me. YOU NEED THIS!!! ;D ;D

[Slatts]

Much respect for the artwork, you can look at it for ages, there's just so much! Music is good too, it makes me tired and want to slip into hellish slumber

[F_Rock]

Picked this up the other day and I think I'm dead. Which means you all are too. There is so much variety on this disc I don't need anything else. Can't wait to see 'em again live.

[Kevin]

Can't wait to hear this! Mark Mills, where are you?

[herstrut]

how's the vocals on it? all death-y growl or a bit more variety?

[Lax Charisma]

Mostly deathy but a few more melodic parts which fit nicely. Yeah it has got a pretty good variety of sounds on it ;D

[F_Rock]

I find the vocals more chuggy than deathy, which means a lot more listenable. It almost adds rhythm and crunch to the guitars.
From stoom to croom, it's all there.

[Lax Charisma]

...yeah, deathy, chuggy, gluggy, stoomy, croomy....
I'm being silly really but yeah THey aren't ever that deathy that you can't hear what is going on underneath and they do tend to lend something to the CD's intensity....

[Kevin]

Band: Pod People
Album: Doom Saloon
Format: CD
Label: High Beam
Time: 50 Minutes
Year: 2002
Track list:

Filling the Void
The Missed
Roadblock
Hoovin’<br>Subterranean
Look Beneath
Ascend to Glamstonia
Testing the Waters
King Tide
Non-Prophet

Band Site and Cover Photo: www.riffrock.com/podpeople/main.html

With their tongues firmly planted in their collective cheeks, Pod People’s motto is “Motor Bike Metal for Mull Pigs.” I suppose that’s true enough in its way, but to me it sounds more like the most-played selections on the jukebox in the Bar at the Gates of Hell (open 24/7 for your convenience). And if you’re going to sound like that, you better have a solid foundation of doom on which to build. The Pods have that in spades: they sprinkle in enough cross-genre influences to keep things “hot,” but they never stray far from what they do best: Doom and More Doom.

Formed in Canberra, Australia in 1991, Pod People began life as a more stoner-oriented outfit, before suffering numerous personnel changes and entering the harsher world of doom/grind on their two late-90s Eps, ‘Swingin’ Beef’ and ‘Soil.’ With ‘Doom Saloon,’ the group has really put it all together, successfully assimilating their past with an eye towards a doomier future. The leadoff track tells the tale: ‘Filling the Void’ is great early Sabbath-style chugging combined with harsh death groove vocals recalling Entombed’s ‘Uprising.’ The cold, spacey guitar solo ain’t too shabby either. ‘Roadblock’ shows that Pod People can do the clean vocals thing just fine, thank you, but they throw in some black metal screams just to show us whats what. ‘Hoovin’ is great stoner groove with clean vocals overlaid with harsh harmonies, while ‘Subterranean’ brings us back to The Doom: slow, sludgey, bloody, and still screaming on its tarnished silver platter. A personal favorite is ‘King Tide’. With its stoner vibe and haunting, harsh vocals run through heavy reverb, its just so damned cool. I have the distinct feeling the Pods crush live; it’s a sad fact that most of us outside Australia will never get to experience it.

Its not often that I call out the artwork on a CD insert, but this one begs a mention. It’s a gorgeous rendering, by guitarist Roy Torkington of Alchemist, of the Inferno from Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy,’ printed with multiple foldouts in the form of an inverted cross. Hell, this is so striking that it recalls the glory days of diecut LP jackets. Can there be any greater praise? In a recent interview, guitarist Josh Nixon hinted that Purgatory and Paradise may be the themes for future Pod releases; I can’t wait to see what Torkington does with those.

Make no mistake: Pod People have done something musically important here, albeit with a wink and a stoned, drunken leer. They’ve managed to meld a disparate number of underground metal influences together to form something unique in the world of doom. Enthusiasts of everything from Sabbath, Bethlehem, Entombed, Isis, Khanate, and Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine to early Cathedral, St. Vitus, Winter, Evoken, and Candlemass will be able to pick up on the love that Pod People are dishing out. This is Australia’s doom album of the year for 2002.



Kevin McHugh

[Jeb]

BEAT MAGAZINE
By Ben Butcher

Doom Saloon booms with the call, "Well come-on", and then the chugging begins with the title track, "Filling the Void". You might as well grab a beverage of choice and chug along with 'em, 'cos the Pod People know how to chug, further proven with an album highlight "The Missed".

"Roadblock" ventures into epic type riffing in classic Sabbath tradition, and does it justice too. Very big indeed.

Pod People dive into deeper depths, with growling doom vocals and slow down their grind train, like on the fantastic "Subterranean", in a fashion the Melvins would be proud of. How low can you go in this game of sonic limbo? This track will work so much better in pubs, once they start serving bucket-bongs.

This band are in fine form both on the disc, and in the packaging. The booklet opens up as an upside-down cross, and presents us with a vision of the cascading levels into a hell of fire, while on the back is an icy depiction of the devil, with the fallen souls all around.

I promised myself that I wouldn't simplify this review by using the term "stoner rock", but I think I just did. So if your into it, this is well worth checking out, 'cos the Pod People do it well.

[Jeb]

BEAT MAGAZINE
By Dieter Kraus

Pod People`s album follows two ep`s released independantly. This, the first full length outing for the Canberra five piece was produced by Superheist`s DW Norton. The album was quick to gain international recognition with Lee Dorian of Catherdral signing the band for European release on Rise Above. International touring and gigs are already in the pipe line.

First thing to strike is the complex and detailed artwork that captures the feel of doom and the general atmosphere of the dark other. The outset is a low key rockfest, motion of sludge on the charge. Vocals need no introduction, the doom atmosphere is all inclusive. Punishing with ease the guitar lead drudgery is sharp in slow time, without text book time changes. There is a sense of maturity and solidness to what the band are aspiring to with the early parts of this album. Shining through is guitar lead that on a very high end provides a delicate balance to a brutal theme. The riffs are accessible to the common ear and fit well within current alternate feilds. The heavyness, or doom is what puts this band in a different feild, a darker one. Roadblock slows it down in classic rock stlyn given the Pod People approach. Those in the know will have much to assualt the ears with this release. Diversity may be a subtle change in structure within the concubine of downward stroke. Songs are well written, and it`s apparrent that alot of time and talent has gone into the creative process behind the album. Heaviness in slowness and dispersion of aggression is well used on Subteranean , the epic track of the album. Flavours of Goatsnake are smelt and on the local front perhaps Chirstbait give some basis for what Pod People are pushing, all be it impossibly slow in parts. Atmosphere and rock fest come to the fore with Look Beneath . Not so metal time changes give interest to wall of sound and blood red sonicness.

Ascend To Glamstonia is definately Kyuss inspired in intro and a highlight, if light is the right word. Words such as punishing, challenging and breaking the mould between genres, or invented genres of music is what is possible here. This album wont be an easy listen for some, but not all things that give good return are always easy. There is plenty to mull over for rock pigs of all persuasions on this release.

[Jeb]

CRUSTY MUSIC
By Crusty

"WELL C'MON!!"...Is the opening line of Doom Saloon, leading into the albums first song 'Filling the Void'. Now this is exactly the groovin', stoner doom smokin' cones type of metal that i was hopin' for!

My expectations for Doom Saloon were very high, considering the quality of the songs from previous releases and the rave reviews that i've already read about this album. In short, the Pod People deliver!

There is so much 'Doomy Bass' in this recording that you just may blow your speakers if you don't turn off that 'xtra bass' boost, trust me i nearly did...

Whats this! I'm already up to track three! Sorry but i was just too busy ridin' on those mad ass solos and grindin' riffs in the second song (The Missed) to even notice...This song 'Road Block' (track 3) just makes the album perfect so far with slower, more stoner fat ass heavy beats and more groovin' guitar work from Josh & Mel, accompanied by Brad's well matured vocal cords, DD's clear ass bass lines, Magg's more than well timed drummin' and a very professional production.

There's yet another surprisingly catchy song up next with 'Hoovin'. Ahh...you guys gotta hear this CD, it'll make your mind explode with 'the doom' of it all!

The album is becoming progressively slower, but way heavier, peaking with the Stoner Doom sound on the song 'Subterranean'. I'm totally engrossed in this 'Cathederal meets Earth' in a dark alley 'super sonic boom'!

All this leads me to the conclusion that if you are into Metal, your human, and your alive, then this album that is Doom Saloon will not disappoint. Josh certainly ain't playin' in Blood Duster 'cause he's crap, and he don't play with anything but the best musicians in his fellow Pod People. And it's so decent to hear a killer female gutarist in Mel (you won't catch her playin' Josie & the Pussycats tunes!)

The album is taking an upbeat road now so 'cuse me while i shut my eyes and enjoy the rest of this awesome Stoner Metal experience... 10/10!

[Jeb]

STONERROCK.COM
By Robwrong

Pod People are a sludgy doom outfit with some serious huevos down below. Their sound is a low tuned throttling trucking up a hill with a fully loaded trailer...Heavy and steady throughout. These cats are seasoned veterans and have a matured sound that is well rehearsed and drives the point well past home.

It's obvious these guys like newer doom stuff that everyone can get their hands on nowadays. Most of the songs on 'Doom Saloon' remind me of everything from Black Sabbath (musically) to Cathedral. The riffs are pure heavy doom throughout. Guitars are tuned down super low and have a nicely overdriven sound. The overall musicianship is tight. The only thing that detracts from the sound to me is the once in a while cookie monster style vocals. When this guy is melodic it's great, and don't get me wrong, they aren't all that bad, just a bit unnatural at times.

The tones on this production are aces...heavy guitar sounds and good full drum tones. If you like the heavy doom contrasted by melodic almost acoustic evil parts- tinged in black/death metal ala Cathedral, then this latest Pod People is right up your alley. It's heavy, evil and down-tuned goodness through and through. Fans of doom will all appreciate this CD for its depth and the fact that it doesn't sound like every other doom outfit out there. Original enough to keep my attention and wanting more. DOOM ON!

[Jeb]

From Roadburn.com

I had heard a lot of good things about this band -- blazingly positive stuff. I was psyched to finally get a chance to hear them. It entered rotation in my player the day I got it and has remained in rotation since. That should clue you in right off the bat about how I feel about "Doom Saloon."

The album starts pounding from the get-go with the Cathedral-esque mid-tempo stomp of "Filling The Void". Right away The Pod People serve notice that this isn't going to be a lightweight affair. Massively heavy riffs and infectious grooves intertwined with rough, heavy vocals abound here. I will admit to not being a huge fan of death metal type vocals in general but PP vocalist, Brad, mixes things up nicely here - alternating between the death-growl and more conventional singing styles which manages to keep the vocal lines interesting.

"Doom Saloon" is definitely an apt title for the album. It brings to mind bands ranging from Sabbath [naturally] to Cathedral...and even Candlemass. "Subterranean" being the prime example with its slowwww doomy riffs and mournful guitars. The album is paced well with a good mix of midtempo, uptempo, and slowwwwwww tracks - they all have something in common -- a raging intensity that I can't help but be captivated by.

Its hard to really single out specific songs as highlights when the writing and playing is so uniformly good and solid but I have to point out the awesome instrumental "Ascend To Glamstonia". I dig the whole build and vibe of it.

Truly the more I spin this CD the more I like it. It has a heaviness and metal side that I think is sadly under-represented in the "stoner rock" scene as the years have gone on. The bummer is that the band is based in Australia. Good for Australia, bad for me [selfish bastardo that I am]. This is music that is meant to be heard in a live setting. I can just imagine getting blasted through the back wall of any venue the band is playing.

Hopefully more and more people will catch on to them and heavy rock fans worldwide will get a chance to see them. In the meantime at least I have the CD. I highly recommend "DOOM SALOON". I guarantee it will be one of those CDs that you return to often.

Brian Balich