EXORCISM – I Am God
- by Matt Coe
- Posted on 10-05-2014
An international band featuring guitarist Joe Stump, Raven Lord vocalist Csaba Zvekan, bassist Lucio Manca, and drummer Garry King, "I Am God" consists of material mainly written back in 2006-07 for a solo project Csaba started, finally coming to fruition over the past year. These 10 songs are classic doom-oriented heavy metal, featuring plodding tempos, down-tuned guitar riffs, and melodic, commanding vocals in line with the best Black Sabbath years from Ronnie James Dio and a pinch of Tony Martin.
It’s interesting to hear Joe Stump step away from his neo-classical oriented technique and perform through a doom filter, as the natural heaviness shines on "Voodoo Jesus" and "Stay in Hell" – while "Zero G" could be a companion piece to the mighty "Children of the Grave". Pure in execution, "I Am God" succeeds because the ethic of classic heavy metal and doom remain intact – proof that this style of music remains timeless, relentless, and effective.