A decade ago this year saw the disbanding of Massachusetts cult heroes Warhorse, after a relatively short career that made quite an impact on the underground scene. After several EP releases, Warhorse released their first and sole full-length effort, As Heaven Turns To Ash; an album that maintains high acclaim to those in the know to this day, and that has proven highly sought after and very rare. Now it sees the reissue treatment, courtesy of extremist heroes Southern Lord.
On a cursory listen As Heavens… may appear a straightforward (albeit hugely strong) take on doom metal, with its melancholic feel and trudging pace, but closer inspection reveals an underbelly of 70’s psychedelic rock influences. The clean, acoustic opening passage ‘Dusk’ invokes a progressive rock feel before ‘Doom’s Bride’ bulldozes into view with a barrage of slow riffs and nauseating heaviness. In contrast, ‘Amber Vial’ has a haunting, almost tribal sounding campfire folk sensibility; not too far removed from the likes of Black Sabbath’s ‘Planet Caravan’; a template later seen again on ‘Dawn’, whilst original album closer ‘And The Angels Begin To Weep’ leads with a spooky, sharp piano passage.
In addition to the original album, this package includes the final EP/Single, the aptly titled I Am Dying; whose contributions sound even stronger; vocalist Greg Orne’s rasping roar sounding particularly emotive on these final offerings; all throughout two more succinct and direct songs, both in formula and duration.
This re-release serves to showcase a truly deserving cult classic which may have missed many people’s radars, but also sadly highlights what a loss to the underground arena Warhorse were, and how strong and important their star could have become if circumstances were different.
8.0/10
CHRIS TIPPELL