This is the band’s first album released in ’95. Style wise it’s very much a stoner rock album, hailing and promoting the use of the leaf. The band consists of members of Pantera – Anslemo, Corrosion of Conformity – Pepper Keenan, and Crowbar – Kirk Windstein and Todd Strange. The inspiration is obviously early Sabbath with the big riffs and grooves, and the emphasis is very much on those two things. Anselmo’s vocals are his usual angry and brutal self, but at this point he could still hit the screams, unlike now where is voice is pretty much destroyed.
There are some killer tunes on this beast of a record and Pillars Of Eternity is one of the best; massive riff and groove, and the fade out is epic. Hail The Leaf with the riff that is more Sabbath than Sabbath. Eyes Of The South will have you bouncing round your space with the catchiest of riffs and simple grooves. Losing All which is the best thing the band have done. It has a monster riff and vibe, with a huge slice of the South thrown in. I like and appreciate this album a lot more now than when it first came out. It definitely grows on you more as time goes on.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
