Holy Doom
Holy Doom makes its point through the relationship between rough guitars and smooth vocal harmonies. Demob Happy keep the bass and drums close to the centre, giving their psychedelic rock a strong physical drive. The songs can be dark or uneasy, but the melodies stop that weight from becoming a barrier. This is heavy music with a clear interest in being catchy.
Liar in Your Head opens with a siren-like sound and a distorted voice before the fuzzed guitars take over. It establishes the album's slightly threatening atmosphere without losing the hook. Be Your Man follows with a similarly dirty guitar sound, using layered vocal harmonies to bring a lighter quality into the arrangement.
Loosen It is more insistent. Repeating bass and guitar parts give it a strong groove, with the vocal melody working directly against that rough foundation. Fake Satan brings a more obvious surf-rock character, changing the feel without abandoning the record's basic sound. The band make good use of those smaller differences rather than relying on a completely new style for each song.
Runnin' Around provides a broader change in mood. Its heavier opening gives way to dreamier singing and a more spacious psychedelic atmosphere before the force returns. It helps the album feel less confined, showing that the trio can step away from their riffs without losing their grip on the song.
The later material turns darker. Maker of Mine uses a substantial bass presence and uneasy backing voices, while the slower title track gives the synthesizers and higher singing more room. Spinning Out then brings a short, fast burst of punk energy. Fresh Outta Luck finishes with a lighter, jangling character, giving the sequence a welcome release.
The main drawback is how often the influences remain visible. Some guitar and vocal choices point so clearly towards other bands that the record's own personality becomes less distinct. Still, Demob Happy put those ingredients together with confidence. The tight grooves, strong harmonies and changes in mood make Holy Doom an enjoyable second album that offers more than a familiar fuzz sound, even when its references are easy to hear.
