The Freezing Fog is another of those bands who very successfully reach into the past (late 70s/early 80s NWOBHM) and yank forward a refreshing style amidst an overcrowded metal landscape. Though most would simply pigeonhole this band as another 'stoner' act, they are really so much more, because instead of rehashing the same five Black Sabbath/Deep Purple chords they write some pretty busy songs, all of which are composed well."In the Company of a Genius" wastes no time in setting a foundation of flowing, bluesy metal rhythms with both melody and power. This is like Advanced Stoner metal 101, imagine a more complex Kyuss or Nebula with a more melodic vocalist. The result = something that can impress more than just some washout deep in his papers and pipes, but the avid metal fan who fancies the old school sounds of bands like Angel Witch, Diamond Head, Tygers of Pan Tang, Praying Mantis, etc, but with that modern Queens of the Stone Age vibe. "The Dweller Upon the Threshold of Time" features further superb riffing, with some beautiful, burning stony rhythms below the bridge. Some other great songs are "Dusk Chorus Blues", "Ride Them Gently", and the closer excellent closer "Horizons" with its great speed metal riff breaks.
Vocalist Longsden has a very straightforward, clean tone which works for most of the album, but I would like to hear him change it up. The style reminds me of Sweden's Hellfueled, though Longsden doesn't venture into Ozzy vocal territory. Some grit and growl would really benefit this band, as the vocals do feel monotous in some of the tracks, but it's not that his voice is bad. As for the guitars and drumming, all excellent, and the bass flows through like a waterfall. This is a tight band, and I find their material far more interesting than stoner heroes like Queens of the Stone Age or Fu Manchu. Check them out if you want to hear a hybrid of the old and new.
Verdict: Win [8/10]
http://www.thefreezingfog.co.uk/
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