As a person who is always on the hunt for weird and wonderful music, it sure was a pleasure to be introduced to Trepalium, a band that blends prog, groove and death metal into something that has been rather aptly described as ‘boogie death metal’ – and their new EP Damballa Voodoo Doll is an absolute joy to listen to.
Trepalium have certainly found their very own style, and absolutely can’t be faulted for that. The instrumentation is absolutely top-notch, and the vocals slot in just right, sounding powerful yet not overpowering, which is important. In fact, there’s so much going on within the music that it’s somewhat difficult to know where to pay attention to – whilst the guitars are doing one thing, the rhythm section is doing another, yet it all works somehow and it really makes for an engaging listen as a result .
Highlights include title track Damballa’s Voodoo Doll, which features a wildly catchy short-but-sweet intro before you get launched right into the vocals, and Fire on Skin, a track which leads you into thinking it’s more of a mellower or chilled-out track with its slower introduction before the full band gets going and the sound hits you like a tonne of bricks – magnificent stuff!
Trepalium have truly outdone themselves with Damballa Voodoo Doll. It’s exciting, different and engaging – and definitely leaves you wanting more. There’s going to be more than a few people anxiously awaiting their next album, that’s for sure.
9/10
