I’ve always said it’s immensely entertaining to come back around to a band years after that first discovery at the start of the band’s journey, especially when it’s after the band has had the time to not only put out more material but put the time in to really hone and refine their craft. When I first heard Merlock three years ago, I can’t help but remember a slightly whimsical albeit still very sincere sound that had plenty of room to grow despite already being quite good. In virtually no time at all, Merlock has really taken to their sound to dramatic effect with their latest effort being a wild transformation I did not see coming and simply cannot get over.

While I still wouldn’t have minded Merlock going down the same path that we saw them bring forth with their very first offering just three years ago, it’s clear just from witnessing any single piece of “You Cannot Be Saved” that the band was not content with creating that same sound over and over again with the resulting creation being their first full-length album that is quite a treat right from the very beginning that never once lets up in its immersive experience. Despite still being well within the norms of what we could expect and ask for out of the stoner realm of doom metal, Merlock still very much makes these the six tracks that form the album, including a surprisingly tasteful Pantera cover, all their own in a fashion that’s appealing, deliciously heavy without overdoing it, and just an all-around to treat to dig into and lose yourself in. It’s always been an absolute wonder to see the many different forms that stoner doom can morph itself into even though it came from relatively simple beginnings, but it’s with bands like Merlock that we’re constantly seeing new approaches to the sound with works like “You Cannot Be Saved” not often creating anything that can be called genre-defining to transcendent to the style itself, that doesn’t once take away from the gravity and the mystic excellence that is to be had in every second of works like this.

Such a transformative album for a band like this is a real shock to see from any band and I cannot help but be bewildering by what Merlock has brought to the table here, and something in my gut tells me right away that they have more than enough surprises to throw our way in the future. The very essence of “You Cannot Be Saved” is more than enough to scratch the itch for some of that good, thick stoner doom that it feels like we hardly get enough of with these six tracks proving to be more than bountiful.

LISTEN to “You Cannot Be Saved” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Merlock on Facebook here.