Search - Goatsnake :: Flower of Disease

Pete Stahl: the #1 vox in doom metaldom

odium | West Paris, Maine United States | 01/19/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The loss of any key player could be devastating in lesser bands, but the mighty Goatsnake rolls with the changes and uses it as an excuse to veer their smothering doom rock into a more bluesy direction. Splitting to join Acid King, ex-Obsessed bassist Guy Pinhas is replaced by Burning Witch earthshaker Stuart Dahlquist, which subsequently allows the band to lessen the volume of sludge-slinging chordage. "Easy Greasy" is a prime example of these doom emperors' new grooves: all the riffilicious density we've come to expect, with Pete Stahl's throaty warble riding sidesaddle, and the title track and "Prayer For A Dying" follow suit. Though the mouth harp gets old, "El Coyote" picks up the pace for one wicked ride down Led Zeppelin Lane. "Live To Die" retains that mammoth chord progression from Zep's "How Many More Times" and rawks out Milligram style. The band still fashions their slo-mo sludge in "The Dealer," tempered to a dull sheen in the eternally infernal flames. Stahl drags his 'nads through Valvoline (one of his finest lyrics ever!) in the multi-tempo workout "A Truckload Of Mamma's Muffins" but then ruins it with pointless profanity in the coda. "The River" gets carried away with the end-of-album decorations: Petra Haden's heady, Dark Side Of The Moon-ish operatics and the classical violin and piano. The record doesn't stack up to the bludgeoning majesty of their debut, but like Zep did some thirty years ago, the 'Snake got you in the sights of their gun - for keeps."

One of the best 'stoner' albums ever

S. Flask | the Pequod | 11/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i hate to use the term 'stoner rock' since the genre as a whole is so overdone and watered down at this point. however there will always be excellent albums to find no matter how many boring bands this genre produces. and goatsnake, and specifically flower of disese, are excellent.i would rate this album right up there with favorites from Kyuss, QOTSA, Sleep, etc. goatsnake play a unique mixture of stoner and doom - never as heavy as, say, electric wizard, but not as 'stoner' as fu manchu - and they play it very well.the album sounds great, doesn't have one weak song, and is a very interesting listen. they go beyond just rehashing old sabbath riffs, and actually make some excellent music here. the lyrics, in particular, are excellent.for fans of the 'stoner/doom' genre, or just rock in general, this album comes very, very highly recommended. give it a few spins and you'll see what i'm talking about....excellent."

Overlooked Classic

Tom Chase | London | 01/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Flower of Disease" is in my opinion the peak of Goatsnake's unfortunately short career, which created just 2 LP's and 2 EP's. This album was the follow-up to 1999's debut LP "I" and the short EP "Dog Days", and proved to be their heaviest, most melodic and most intelligent album. While the album falls into the stoner/doom genre, I would really recommend it to anyone who loves a bit of old school rock n roll. The Sabbath worship is obvious yet executed in a fresh manner with more emphasis on vocal melody, and a heavy blues influence that recalls the swaggering heydays of Led Zeppelin. But be warned, this album is a heavy monster...



This is mostly down to Greg Anderson (also of cult doom maniacs Sunn O))) and Thorr's Hammer), who has created such an immensely rich and powerful guitar tone using his trademark `mystery' tuning which he will not reveal, some big fat juicy riffs, and of course those mighty Sunn amps. His presence on this album is amazing. The opening bluesy dirge of the title track is a perfect and instantaneous example. Groove is definitely a big part of the Goatsnake sound, and they repeat the winning formula of big tone - big riff - slow groove with tracks such as the thundering "Dealer" and "Truckload of Mamma's Muffins". There are also some more typically stoner tracks with the rocking fun of "Live to Die" and "El Coyote".



Pete Stahl also needs special mention here. Goatsnake simply wouldn't be the same without his melodic vocals, which pierce through the heavy tones, giving the band a very distinctive sound and melody. This is highlighted in the one-two punch of the title track and "Prayer For A Dying", with the latter having a divine chorus melody. The band also have a great understanding of composition, always keeping things interesting with changes in tempo/riffs/melodies, this is shown especially in the closer "The River" which encompasses the trademark violin sections with a slow brooding main riff.



Goatsnake are tragically overlooked in the world of stoner/doom metal, and carved a somewhat cult status for themselves. If you know you enjoy bands such as Sleep, Orange Goblin, Kyuss, Sunn O))) etc, then you really do need this album. If you love 70s rock and metal in general, then you cannot go wrong with this one, just be warned about the mammoth guitar tone!

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