Review of Troll - Self Titled

Troll sounds like Black Sabbath birthed in the 90's and Candlemass if they were born in a bar. Not bad, but it's not really going to turn any heads. I don't know a thing about Troll aside that I'm fairly sure there's already a band of the same name and that for some peculiar reason, their artwork is enjoyable in a sort of America's Funniest Home Videos kind of way.

The album takes a mild turn when the second track, "Nostradamus", comes into play with a bit of Iron Maiden riffing fit to a moderate pace before retreating back to the sort of plodding stoner riffery. The guitar solos are nothing short of spectacular, and whoever handles the vocals for the band gives you exactly what you want to hear with his own take on slow, epic singing with stretched out syllables which only go out of tune slightly on "Turned Around". Admittedly, the somber track "Trigger Man" is a high point due to a well-written chorus. There just isn't enough energy here and Troll isn't tight enough to succeed in pulling this sound off. With a lack of sufficient builds and the only breaks being guitar solos, which are indeed good, they're fighting an uphill battle. While I'm able to embrace continuous and repetitive riffing from certain bands, there's something undefinable and hard to pinpoint about the music on this self-titled record that makes it seem like it's dragging on.

Perhaps you could chalk up this semi-negative review to personal taste — but I don't think that's the end of it. I like a lot of doomy and bluesy material, so no one can accuse me of being on the opposing side of the band from the start. Simply put, Troll have released a passable record and nothing more. Here's to progression, gentlemen.

Release Details

Troll

Self Titled

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