This solid Stoner, Doom release from Spain’s Basque country is just as refreshing as it is familiar. HORN OF THE RHINO is a trio committed to bringing thundering riffs that are both whiplash-inducing and, of course, of the slower, more whiskey-paced variety. Despite the sense that a couple of vocal styles never real seem fully "settled in", we mustn’t forget the appeal of RHINO and bands within this genre. They are the wooden rollercoaster in a world of Death Metal theme park tycoons. They boast an ever expanding girth that allows you to feel everything, the laboring of its structure and the tyranny of physics. This album appears to be comfortable in its Stoner / Doom sludginess, while playing with tempo and vocal aesthetics. ‘Exvenhstench’ and ‘High Priest’ signal the rollicking heft of HIGH ON FIRE and DOWN, while tracks like ‘Onward Through Domination’ and ‘Deliverance Prayer’ channel doomy, Rock’n’Roll roots reminiscent of KYUSS. Comparisons aside, the strength of this band lies mostly in its riffs and vocals. As stated earlier, there is a bit of variety in the tempo and singer, Javier Galvez, showcases the breadth of his range in both his sludgier screams as well as through bluesy Layne Staley – styled clean vocals. These sensibilities harken another time that was only somewhat simpler, but simpler nonetheless; it dwells in a time where Rock’n’Roll meant something heavier than 7 shitty farewell tours and it was not a concept to shy away from, but rather to embellish upon. Rock’n’Roll is ultimately the foundation of a good Doom / Stoner sound and it sounds like actual humans are playing it. It is a working testament to the 1990s coupled with today’s insatiable appetite for heavy. In this sense, I like that RHINO is exploring these styles and creating songs that have a new classic feel, yet with their own particular and fully welcomed edge. www.facebook.com/pages/horn-of-the-rhino/111074398936133, www.doomentia.com