By: AvNatten

Posted: Aug 4, 2006

There have been quite a few bands that have put New Jersey on the map as being a hotspot for unique and otherworldly bands. Also hailing from the garden state is Doomtree, the latest musical outpouring by famed multi-talented ex-Samhain drummer Steve Zing. "Down Below" is the band's debut album and you must remember not to judge a book by its cover because although the band name may fool you there is actually no doom contained on this album at all. Instead it is a ride through infectious sing along choruses, guitar hooks, and a touch of old school punk. It is a departure from Zing's previous band Chyna due to the fact that the atmospheres that were contained within that band are almost completely stripped away.
 
The album opener 'Severed' is the most energetic track on the disc. It kicks the album off to a good start with it's mix of punk with a touch of metal and of course the "whoooaaa's" that you expect from this type of music. Also included is a reworked version of the Chyna track 'The Light'. This new version is lacking the atmospheric keyboards and the more emotional vocal delivery of the original, it's still a good track nonetheless but falls flat as it is now. The choruses are the strongest point for Doomtree, they can really create one that will get your attention although it may not hold it for long. It's no surprise that the vocal delivery is very Danzig-esque given Zing's musical pedigree but Doomtree doesn't employ the use of creepiness and the macabre in their music which will be a let down for some especially since the band has been labelled a "horror" punk band many times.
 
As soon as the first track starts and the lasts ends you get the feeling that there should be something more to the compositions. The energy and will to move the tracks forward is there but the tracks can come across as dull at times. I believe that Doomtree are one of those bands you would have to see live to truly enjoy, their songs seem to be made to be heard in a live setting which they could dominate with their energy and musical prowess. Though this isn't a bad CD it needs that extra punch to take it over the top and make the tracks more memorable. Hopefully in the future some added aggression and more variation in the tracks will surface in their writing.

Rating: 7/10

Doomtree website

Doomtree interview

Buy the album at

Buy merchandise at

Print