Metallurgy

Heaviness is a function of subject as often as downtuned guitars and bass distortion, and that blend of cochlear bludgeon and emotional distress finds its fullest flower in doom metal. The petals open widely on Cough's third disc. This fearsome Richmond, Va., foursome indulges its love of all things dark and dreary through the viscous, minor-key thud/grind of "Masters of Torture," "Haunter of the Dark," and "Dead Among the Roses." Soaring psych-rock guitar solos slashing through the dust, Still They Pray stirs a muddy compound reminiscent of Electric Wizard – little surprise given that the UK legends' singer Jus Oborn produced. The blackened "The Wounding Hours" and acoustic title cut add variety, but Cough's doom reaches maximum potency without them.