Visit The Death Spell YouTube channel, and you’ll find these handy definitions for the band’s name:
i) A curse or incantation inducing the cessation of life
ii) A bringing forth of leviathans voicing their cries from seas far and wide
iii) A coven of souls intent on righting the boundaries of the accepted institutions.
Unsettling.
But no matter which definition you prefer, they’re all a great fit for The Death Spell, a high-energy Stoner Rock outfit that pulls in tireless energy from the Punk Scene and bottomless dread from Doom Metal.
With so much working in their favor, their self-titled debut is a doozy.
About The Death Spell
The Death Spell is a hard-rockin’ trio from Auckland, New Zealand, that formed in 2021.
The band is:
- Ozan Turan – Vocals and Guitar
- Alessandro Iraci – Bass
- Owen Drew – Drums
This self-titled album is also their debut, and it was strong enough to appear in the top 10 of the December 2023 Doom Charts (which is where we first heard of them).
‘The Death Spell’ Album Review
Tracks: 8
Length: 35:14
Release Date: December 24, 2023
Track 1: Nail You Higher Than Before
“Nail You Higher Than Before” kicks off the album with chanted, layered vocals that offer a mysterious, mystical effect—before the song launches into a fun, bouncing riff.
This opener is everything you want in Stoner Rock: Turan’s vocals are gravelly, his guitars are thick, Iraci’s bass lines are massive, and Drew’s drums are heavy and persistent.
Plus, “Nail You Higher Than Before” has an awesome bass solo that leads into an awesome guitar solo, which is an obvious win.
This is the kind of song people that would set people on fire in a live setting, and I could definitely see the band jamming to the conclusion for 10+ minutes without a complaint from anyone in attendance.
Track 2: Leave You Lying On the Ground
Dark and mysterious, “Leave You Lying On the Ground” rides along a wicked bass line and rhythmic drums until it reaches the impressive second half. Be sure to listen closely:
Track 3: Funeral Pyre
Darker and heavier than the previous songs (and appropriately so, given the song title), “Funeral Pyre” still offers the band’s characteristic shroud of mystery. Here, you’ll find some interesting guitar tones and textures that occasionally cross into the land of Proto Metal—while still being characteristically The Death Spell.
Track 4: Die Alone
Running just over 2 minutes, “Die Alone” is a burst of Punk energy that would be perfect opening for bands like Bad Religion or Mondo Generator. And speaking of Bad Religion, Turan’s voice does occasionally sound a bit like Greg Graffin.
Track 5: Witch’s Coven
“Witch’s Coven” barks like another Punk Rock anthem, but it contains enough surprises and intricacies to be more interesting than “Die Alone.” Notable features: the exciting bass line placed front and center and the layered vocal effects on the bridge.
No wonder they made “Witch’s Coven” a single:
Track 6: Potter’s Field Forever
Delivered slow and low, “Potter’s Field Forever” is the heaviest and Doomiest track on the album, channeling the likes of Black Sabbath or Church of Misery.
“Potter’s Field Forever” flips between low Doom deliveries and upbeat Stoner Rock passages, and although that should be a strong formula for success, something seems to be missing here.
Perhaps this is another song that would be electrifying in a live setting.
Track 7: I Am the Shadow
The primary riff of “I Am the Shadow” sounds like it could have been pulled from an Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats hit (think of “I’ll Cut You Down”), while the majority of the song feels like an Alt Rock/Post Grunge surprise.
Despite the disparities, “I Am the Shadow” is an infectious track, and it’s a fun diversion from the Punk influences previously heard on the album.
Be sure to check out those Uncle Acid vibes:
Track 8: Kill In the Darkness
“Kill In the Darkness” is a blistering Proto Metal finish packed with killer guitar riffs, boundless energy, and a cool jam to conclude the album. Like “Nail You Higher Than Before,” the end of this song could last another 10 minutes, and you likely wouldn’t hear a single complaint.
Final Thoughts On The Death Spell
Final Score: 8.5/10
Standout Tracks: “Nail You Higher Than Before”
Pros: This is a powerful debut effort that checks all of the right boxes. “The Death Spell” is an exhilarating album packed with tight Stoner jams.
Cons: Your appreciation for this album might just hinge on your simultaneous appreciation for three different genres: Stoner, Doom, and Punk.
There also seem to be a few great ideas that were left unexplored. The conclusion to “Nail You Higher Than Before,” for example, could have been a self-indulgent jam session, but the band cut it short. Yes, there is definitely merit to keeping the song to traditional Rock ‘n’ Roll length, but there is also merit to following some of the traditions of Stoner Rock and Doom Metal.
Learn More About The Death Spell
To learn more about The Death Spell, visit their Bandcamp page, subscribe to their YouTube channel, or follow them on social media (Facebook or Instagram).