R.I.P. – Dead End

R.I.P.

Dead End

RidingEasy Records

Doom Metal

FFO: Black Sabbath, Angel Witch, Witchfinder General, Saint Vitus, Satan’s Satyrs

R.I.P. have been chopping away at the heavy metal scene for the best part of nearly a decade now and in that time, the band have amassed three studio albums and one live album. Following what has essentially been three years of touring, R.I.P. are back with their fourth album ‘Dead End’.

What began life as a doom obsessive band has turned into some more akin to trad metal, ‘Dead End’ shows that R.I.P. are not afraid to take a more aggressive approach. This change in sound has paid dividends; what was threatening to become boring and formulaic has suddenly had a rocket fired up its rectum as melodiously hooky driving guitars and distorted bass smash the doom mould to pieces and whilst there are still hints of Saint Vitus and Black Sabbath here, there are now hints towards Satan’s Satyrs, Angel Witch and Witchfinder General especially during ‘Nightmare’, ‘Death Is Coming’ and ‘Dead of the Night’. In fact, the only thing that really lets this album down is the rather tinny production which makes ‘Dead End’ sound as if it were recorded within a small practice room.

However, when this is the only real gripe, you know R.I.P. are onto a winner; ‘Dead End’ is the sound of a band finally delivering on those promises hinted at on their previous albums; this is a change in sound for the better and R.I.P. are bloody good at it.

Adam McCann