If the terms 'flesh' and 'doom' don't conjure up an image of a slaughter for you, you're lying!
I guess it’s true what they say: never judge a book by its cover—or in this case an album. When I saw the title Doom Groove by Flesh Cherub, I was pretty prepared to dive into an insanely heavy, death metal onslaught. So, imagine my shock when stripped-back bluegrass melodies and Liam McVay’s deep, Tom Waites-esque baritone voice first came barraging through my speakers–talk about a welcome surprise.
Flesh Cherub – Doom Groove
- Label: Independent
- Release: Out Now
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Although, while it’s not metal, Doom Groove is still an incredibly heavy release–just not in its sound–with the 5-track EP provocatively exploring McVay’s journey to sobriety, and in turn, picking apart every inch of his tormented psyche with all the honesty of a personal diary.
Through subtle arrangements that let the lyrics sit at the forefront of each song, Flesh Cherub’s debut EP sees McVay exploring internal thoughts of isolation, self-doubt and the regret of lost relationships, while also finding solace and humour in the absurdity of existence.
It’s the kind of subject matter that can easily feel played out and contrived, with many aspiring musicians yearning for the ‘tortured artist’ aesthetic. Yet in the case of Flesh Cherub, it feels incredibly refreshing and original.
Recorded entirely by himself at home, Doom Groove carries a haunting, fly-on-the-wall quality, with each strum of the guitar and echo of the vocals amplifying a deep sense of isolation. It’s a man, alone with his lap steel, unpacking his own personal thoughts and regrets with shocking vulnerability. Honestly, it feels like a privilege to be able to listen in.
Listen to the unexpected album here.
