Goat Major – Death Comes Twice
Goat Major – Death Comes Twice
Ripple Music
Release date: 23/10/2026
Review by Alun Jjones
9/10
When the Church of Goat Major unveiled their Doom sorcery at the temple of North West Doom Fest earlier this year, I was there – and I was transfixed. Already smitten by their excellent debut album, “Ritual”, I was a willing acolyte of Goat Major’s formidable sonic alchemy. Now album number two, “Death Comes Twice” – again released by Ripple Music – is unearthed and unleashed.
A three-piece band comprising Jammie Arnold on guitar, Simon Bonwick on drums and Tom Shortt on bass, they originate from Pembrokeshire in Wales. The mystic charm and historic landscape of the country have obviously seeped into their cauldron of influences. “Death Comes Twice” carries an air of esoteric beauty throughout.
‘Voyage of Cetus’ opens the album with a melodic, acoustic guitar that builds nicely – it’s a full on, Iommi-esque instrumental that sets the scene perfectly. Up next is ‘Firewalk’, a lively fuzzed-out rocker that bleeds into a stomper of a song. The title track has a spacey intro that evolves into another thudding, infectious heavy riffer, while ‘Under the Moonlight’ is a faster-paced, nimble Sabbath style fuzz fest.
‘Wheels of Gold’ opens with a catchy, rolling structure – it’s two minutes in till the gears shift and we’re catapulted into another Doom Rock tornado. The brief, sci-fi instrumental ‘Sirens’ offers a chance for a breather, before ‘The Sin Eater’ crawls slowly from the speakers. After ‘Negative Church’, another calm instrumental, we’re plunged into the final maelstrom of ‘Detached’, which builds slowly for half of its running time till it overflows with a raucous energy.
The musicians are all on first-rate form throughout; performances and writing skills are outstanding. Production-wise, “Death Comes Twice” revels in beautiful, grimy distortion – just as any album of Sabbath worship should, but with pleasing melody and a dedication to songcraft. Goat Major has delivered again with “Death Comes Twice”, and I’m not at all surprised.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Voyage Of Cetus
02. Firewalk
03. Death Comes Twice
04. Under The Moonlight
05. Wheels Of Gold
06. Sirens
07. The Sin Eater
08. Negative Church
09. Detached
LINKS:
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