By Andrew Bansal
Fledgling Denver, Colorado-based trio Saddle Of Southern Darkness was formed in 2015 by brothers Trent and Chase Williams with one aim, to bring their country and metal influences together into a unified sound. Saddle Of Southern Darkness are presenting this brand of ‘evil country’ via their self-titled debut full-length album, released independently in November 2015.
The Southern country twang is evident straightaway in the guitar playing style on the opening track ‘Compelled To Dig’ and this element is carried throughout the album as one of the core features of the band’s sound. Metalheads aren’t typically into country music, but Trent and Chase Williams sure are, and they do their best to turn metal-loving listeners onto country with the clean-singing old-school metal style of vocals and the dark undertones metal fans would easily be able to identify and relate to. Bands like Earth and artists like Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich have ventured into similar territories with varied approaches over the years, and now in Saddle Of Southern Darkness we have a band that fully focuses on pursuing this sub-genre.
Tunes like ‘Bad Times’, ‘Blasphemous Bill’ and ‘Owl And Crow Sign’ successfully carry on from the tone set by the opener, and ‘Hangin’ In A Tree’ comes across as a worthy centerpiece with excellent arrangements and performances. ‘Folk Singer’ is the most fun song on the album, followed immediately by the contrastingly somber but equally engaging ‘Numb’, and the dark vibe is maintained on the closing tracks ‘Runnin’ On Fumes’ and ‘Sounds Of Darkness’.
Saddle Of Southern Darkness’ self-titled debut full-length is certainly a worthwhile effort and potentially the start of a unique sub-genre in the world of all things rock and metal, because this set of tunes is bound to compel metalheads to appreciate country more than ever before.
Rating: 8/10
Release Date: November 1st 2015
Track Listing:
1. Compelled To Dig
2. Bad Times
3. Blashpemous Bill
4. Owl And Crow Sign
5. Hangin’ In A Tree
6. Folk Singer
7. Sounds Of Darkness
8. Numb
9. Running’ On Fumes
Links: facebook | bandcamp | instagram