Death's Procession (Deluxe Edition)

Death’s Procession marks a few changes for Oakland’s Saviours. Before tracking their fourth studio album, bass player Cyrus Comiskey left to focus on fatherhood. Carson Binks of Parchman Farm replaced Comiskey, providing a style that worships at the altar of Grand Funk Railroad’s Mel Schacher and Blue Cheer’s Dickie Peterson. Subsequently, Saviours’ sound has shifted from past flirtations with New Wave Of British Heavy Metal to sludgy ‘70s biker-rock that's more rooted in early Motörhead and Black Sabbath. “The Eye Obscene” sets the tone with monolithic guitars, plodding bass, ham-fisted drumming and singer Austin Barber howling in a scratchy tenor like High On Fire’s frontman Matt Pike. “To the Grave Possessed” follows with more impressive guitar playing as harmonic leads morph into chugging, distorted riffs that bulldoze through a steadily pummeling rhythm. Iron Maiden-derived guitar harmonies introduce the ferocious “Fire of Old,” though it’s “Crete’n” which proves to be the album’s standout with its Judas Priest-inspired attack and fast-throttled pace. Fans of Fu Manchu will dig the catchy bonus track “Come On Back.”