Album Review: Death Penalty

Death Penalty – Death Penalty
Release Date: August, 2014
Label: Rise Above Records

When I heard that former Cathedral guitarist Gary “Gaz” Jennings had a new band, my first thought was, “How could this possibly suck?” Then again, shortly after that my thought was, “Don’t get your hopes up and allow yourself to be disappointed.” Well, from the opening riff fest of “Howling at the Throne of Decadence” I just knew that I needed to strap in because I was going to be taken on a sonic doom ride.

To call Death Penalty a doom band really isn’t fair to be honest. Gaz has such a distinct style of playing and writing that it’s undeniable that there is some heavy Cathedral influence infused in there. While this is true, Gaz has taken that sound to a whole new level and instead of dipping heavily into the doom genre that Cathedral pretty much owned has opted to go for a more classic heavy metal sound. Lead vocalist Michelle Nocon is Gaz’s secret weapon for sure and it’s Nocon that breaks any and all possible comparisons to Cathedral.

“Eyes of the Heretic” and it’s galloping rhythm picks up right where the “Howling at the Throne of Decadence” left off totally switching into third gear. It’s such an amazing sounding song that completely blew me away and had me feeling excited about what else lied ahead no this ride. “Golden Ties” totally came out of the blind corner and once again floored me. Nocon’s subtle yet passionately strong voice coupled with the chunky, groove laden rhythm brought me to goose bumps with its dark and beautifully haunting aura. “The One That Dwells” is such a eerie dose of occult laden psychedelia that slides right into “She’s A Witch” with its varying tempos and once again haunting vocals.

Fans of Cathedral should totally love Death Penalty but go into this knowing that while elements of Cathedral are present, Death Penalty is not an extension of Cathedral but a step forward. Gaz and Co. have produced one of my favorite albums of 2014 with some of what I feel to be some of the best metal of this kind. Death Penalty also captured a very live, passionate energy on their debut album that I cannot wait to see done live. Death Penalty is one of those bands that reminds me why I love this kind of music and that they can do it better than just about anyone should surprise no one.

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