Goatsnake/Burning Witch

Goatsnake and Burning Witch team-up for a truly evil release of demented sludge, a split facilitated by those fine Hydra Head folks. Goatsnake start the hating with two tracks, the instrumental "Raw Curtains" and their take on St. Vitus' "Burial At Sea." Both tracks are excellent, recalling classic Cathedral and the Melvins, Vitus (obviously) and Sabbath (naturally). Pete Stahl's vocals once again are the band's ace, as the boy can sing (comparisons to Ian Astbury abound). Burning Witch's contributions, "The Bleeder" and "Communion," share similar influences but are harsher and jagged, eschewing cleaner doom/sludge for a nastier feel, not unlike Eyehategod's suicide inducing musical wrath. Which nicely complements Goatsnake' s cleaner doom, making for an excellent split of snail paced metal.