Review by Aaron on February 13, 2005.

After parting ways with UK stoner doomsters, Electric Wizard, a band that made no compunctions shortly before their breakup that they really got on each other’s tits as a group, drummer, Mark Anthony Greening and bassist, Tim Bagshaw (current Rammeses guitarist), got together with longtime friend, Adam Richardson (ex-Spyrmyard), and started jamming. Their jams were a combination that lead to complaints in the thousands to the Wimborne on Dorset Environmental Health council (that’s instant cred right there kids!). Out of these jam sessions, Ramesses started to coalesce, or maybe ‘coagulate’ is a better term. The end result can be heard on their debut album, We Shall Lead You to Glorious Times.

While maintaining some of the stoner elements of Electric Wizard, Ramesses really stands on their own as a separate, musical entity from the get-go. This four track album contains songs of atmospheric dirge riffs and sludgy arrangements, reminiscent of Unearthly Trance’s earlier work. The use of black metal harshness on the vocals of opener, “Witchhampton,” and the underlying, doom ambience of the 10-plus minute epic, “Black Domina,” go a long way towards establishing this trio as a force unto themselves. Bagshaw shows a remarkable enthusiasm in his guitar work, something he apparently lacked on the bass, and Greening’s drum work is precise and aggressive. Richardson’s vocals are excellent in all their incarnations, from soulful groove, to black grimness, to cavernous growl, they compliment what is needed for each song, perfectly.

The overall end result of We Shall Lead You to Glorious Times is an excellent starting point for the band. It’s recommend for fans of early Cathedral, Unearthly Trance and anyone who wants to see what happened after Electric Wizard ver. 1.0.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 8
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by Aaron on February 13, 2005.

After parting ways with UK stoner doomsters, Electric Wizard, a band that made no compunctions shortly before their breakup that they really got on each other’s tits as a group, drummer, Mark Anthony Greening and bassist, Tim Bagshaw (current Rammeses guitarist), got together with longtime friend, Adam Richardson (ex-Spyrmyard), and started jamming. Their jams were a combination that lead to complaints in the thousands to the Wimborne on Dorset Environmental Health council (that’s instant cred right there kids!). Out of these jam sessions, Ramesses started to coalesce, or maybe ‘coagulate’ is a better term. The end result can be heard on their debut album, We Shall Lead You to Glorious Times.

While maintaining some of the stoner elements of Electric Wizard, Ramesses really stands on their own as a separate, musical entity from the get-go. This four track album contains songs of atmospheric dirge riffs and sludgy arrangements, reminiscent of Unearthly Trance’s earlier work. The use of black metal harshness on the vocals of opener, “Witchhampton,” and the underlying, doom ambience of the 10-plus minute epic, “Black Domina,” go a long way towards establishing this trio as a force unto themselves. Bagshaw shows a remarkable enthusiasm in his guitar work, something he apparently lacked on the bass, and Greening’s drum work is precise and aggressive. Richardson’s vocals are excellent in all their incarnations, from soulful groove, to black grimness, to cavernous growl, they compliment what is needed for each song, perfectly.

The overall end result of We Shall Lead You to Glorious Times is an excellent starting point for the band. It’s recommend for fans of early Cathedral, Unearthly Trance and anyone who wants to see what happened after Electric Wizard ver. 1.0.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 8
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by JD on August 7, 2011.

Confused... as I sit here to write a review for The Sunwashed Avenues, that is where I am at. This is a band that defies all logic... and that is not in a good way. I have just finished the album for the 5th time and I am as confused as a Amish man who has found himself at a Gwar concert.

Stapling together so many influences can cause a lack of focus and this band has indisputably no focus. Songs runs the gambit from a sort of Death Metal attack... to old school Punk that just plods along aimlessly, these guys bring every influence to bear and yet never does very much with it. I have to admit that I really get stoked when a band can do a whole variety of different styles, but not when it seems so muddled together. The Sunwashed Avenues seem not to be on the same page.

The musicianship is very impressive, as is the production and packaging, but that never hides the fact that this band is all over the place, to the point that they probably have no clue to what they are doing. Artistic and vision aside, all great art needs something that binds it all together into one - and there is nothing that is making this band into what the potential of the talent they have.

Some might find something in the album they like, but confusion and the fact that there is no true direction to see - even that might be short lived. As much talent that The Sunwashed Avenues have, doubt if it could save the album. My advice is to skip the album, and hope that when the next album is released, they all play as one.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 5
Production: 8
Originality: 5 (confusion is not original)
Overall: 6.5

Rating: 6.5 out of 10