If you’re not familiar with Viking Skull it’s probably because of the lack of Stateside availability of this UK band’s early material. All that’s about to change with a little help from our friends at Candlelight Records, and you stoner doom aficionados are going to eat this one up. If you take a foundation built on Black Sabbath, add the support structure of Thin Lizzy, wall it up with a thick layer of Motorhead and retrofit the whole package with the likes of Orange Goblin this is the house Viking Skull has built. Founded by vocalist Roddy Stone and Raging Speedhorn drummer Gordon Morrison five years ago, the act has put out a few well-received releases across the pond. Morrison left in 2006 and has since been replaced by CKY skinsman Jess Margera, brother of Bam of Jackass fame.

I admit I have a bias for this sort of material. I was raised on ’70s Sabbath and I never grow weary of the plodding rhythms or the sludgy riffs. High On Fireesque vocals — compromised by copious amounts of cigarettes and drenched in drams of whiskey — only sweeten the deal. Having toured extensively with Clutch, HIM and Dio, Viking Skull have strengthened their songwriting chops and seem much more focused on Doom, Gloom, Heartache and Whiskey than on past releases. Even so this isn’t a flawless release, yet when it hits the mark it’s like a round of buckshot to the backside.

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