Review SPIRITWORLD ‘Deathwestern’

Spiritworld is the brainchild of Stu Folsom. The singer and multi-instrumentalist first appeared in 2017 with a demo before the 7″ called ‘Viper Blood’ was released. At that time the sound was still very country influenced while rock and punk elements positively impacted the sound.

However, Folsom changed the musical direction and used a heavier style on the debut album ‘Pagan Rhythms’. Hardcore, thrash metal and even a pinch of death metal found their way in, which made the metal community take notice.

With ‘Deathwestern’ Folsom and Spiritworld have now released a new record and they continue with what they started with the previous album. In this case, however, the album cover, reminding of a Sergio Leone Western, can lay a false trail, which is reinforced by the album title. What awaits the listener are in no way metallic sounds which flirt with the typical western/country sounds. Rather, it is the brutal mixture of the sounds of the debut album which here again blasts out of the speakers with proper punch.

Hatebreed and Slayer are bands that immediately come to mind when the title track introduces this brute record. Besides the aforementioned bands, the groove of groups like Sepultura also comes into play, which makes ‘Deathwestern’ even a bit more interesting.

The songs on this record are unsurpassed in impact and each of the tracks, with the exception of the intro ‘Mojave Bloodlust’ are whipping statements for the power of metal. Here the hatchet is not only dug up, but, figuratively speaking, swung.

Folsom and Spiritworld they are the gunslingers in terms of guitar riffs. Speed and precision are leading here, while filigree and originality are not necessarily in the focus. If you want the musical sledgehammer right in the face, this is the right album for you.