Warlord

DOGBANE- " WHEN KARMA COMES CALLING"

When I first heard this band’s 2011 debut, Residual Alcatraz, I immediately was hooked. Then when I saw them live at Ragnarokkr Metal Apocalypse a year ago, and saw that they were also a very competent and enjoyable live band, my anticipation for new music from them grew steadily. Finally four years after the debut, Dogbane are back with their sophomore effort. This band has that retro heavy rock meets doom vibe that has a real throwback feel to something out of the early 80s. There is definitely some hints of Manilla Road, Coven 13 and also Cirith Ungol in the mixture, which considering I am wearing the Paradise Lost t shirt as I write this, that may or may not be subliminal, hahaha. Either way Jeff Neal’s vocals are really reminiscent at times of The Shark and the guitar tone is definitely also in that same range. The production is not perfect, nor should it really be as it adds to the effect of really bringing the sound to that which you would hear back in the day. Speaking of the guitars, the riffing is very solid and the overall feel is nicely done, kudos to Jeff Rinehart and Mitchell Allred on a fine fine job. The drums and bass are likewise heavy, without dominating. Karma is calling, but so is this release, I think I am going to give it a lot more spins in the future!

Mark Vander Zanden "True Metal Lives"

"When Karma Comes Calling" is the latest release from Greensboro, North Carolina metal band Dogbane. At just under 36 minutes it follows the group's sadly overlooked debut album, "Residual Alcatraz", and it once more finds this largely unknown New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal act channeling the spirits of many a great doom and N.W.O.B.H.M. band that came before them. Four or so years removed from "Residual Alcatraz", "When Karma Comes Calling" was recorded and produced by Dogbane bassist Kevin Davis and the rest of the gang at Studio 5 in Greensboro, NC. Lead as always by the Rob Halford-esque voice of Jeff Neal (ex-Steelwolf) and featuring guitar performances from Jeff Rinehart and Mitchell Allred that should make fans of Trouble, Pentagram and Black Sabbath weep with joy, Dogbane is about as close as you can get to having the perfect combination of doom metal (Witchfinder General, Trouble, Pentagram, Black Sabbath, Witchfynde, The Obsessed, etc.) and classic metal/N.W.O.B.H.M. (Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Satan, Pagan Alter, Manilla Road, Brocas Helm, Savage, Motörhead, Saxon, Thin Lizzy, etc)! With drummer Jerry Cloer (Crucifice, ex-Rictus Grin) rounding out the line-up, Dogbane is one traditional/doom metal band that deserves every bit of good fortune that could possibly come their way. For a band that was formed way back in 2010 it is a little bothersome that Dogbane are not more well-known within the metal community. Hopefully this spirited follow-up to "Residual Alcatraz" changes all of that as Dogbane is far too good to be kept under wraps for any longer! Mastered by Gary Long (King Diamond, Solitude Aeturnus), "When Karma Comes Calling" picks up where this band's debut album left, but for comparisons sake let's just say that album number two from these North Carolina merchants of metal would get a ***** rating if "Residual Alcatraz" was a *** release. In other words, "When Karma Comes Calling" has the same calling cards but it is a more focused and mature affair. But, you don't have to take my word for it. Right now (and mind you this is for a limited time only so go here right now!) you can download "When Karma Comes Calling" for only $1! You heard me right friend. For only one measly dollar you can pick up a digital copy of this killer album so that you can see what all the fuse is about for yourself! And let's face it, $1 is literately a steal for an album like this! Especially seeing as (heavy metal-wise) "When Karma Comes Calling" is (if nothing else) a straight-shooter of an album where speed rock ("Warlord") gets the same kind of special treatment as a slow, Black Sabbath-like number does ("Devil by the Horns"). That means whether you are a fan of Trouble of Tytan there's just got to a better than 50-50 chance that at least one song on this one dollar download should appeal to you. Although I've got to think that more than a few of you will appreciate this band's doom metal approach to traditional heavy metal. Need more info on Dogbane? Be sure to check out the group's Facebook page then and we'll you're at it be sure to snag a copy of "Residual Alcatraz"!

"Metal" Mark "Heavy Metal Time Machine"