The mind reels in horror, eyes exploding and faces melting from the sheer force of brutality emanating from your speakers. To say Howl’s three track pre-release is anything less than the musical equivalent of a blunt object to the face would be a disservice to the band and the writer. With a style equal parts sludge, black, and stoner metal, Howl expertly navigates the various sects of the church of metal while retaining a sound that’s truly inspired. If Matt Pike and Troy Sanders created a pig-demon baby, and let it play guitar on piles of bleached skulls, it might sound like Howl.

Though only three tracks, this debut pre-release EP thrills and titillates. From The first track 'Oma,' Howl establishes themselves as masters of a groove riff. Slowly winding out in a heavy, swaying, stoner fashion, 'Oma' experiences a drop in tempo from the last minute out to the end. This down tuned slow-down, reminiscent of Botch’s 'Hutton’s Great Heat Engine,' gives a dazzling sludge finish to this heavy track. The energy doesn’t die there, however, as 'And The Gnawing' pulls Howls proverbial dick out of the dirt with a jump in tension and energy.

On a level of pure musicality, Howl can make this music nerd grin. Tight as shit drumming pumps through the band’s veins. The dual guitar work, although often laying down a solo, never detracts from the overall vibe of each track. A bestial vocal sound that, nonetheless, finds the room to fit nicely into a harmony or two. Such awareness, from each member, of the wholeness of sound can only come from a lack of douche bag ego getting in the way of finished product. A philosophy of music before musician.

The only downside is, and I know it’s been said, the length. I want more. What a tease! This is of course, a pre-release. A sampler from Relapse to excite it’s audience into a frenzy. For more we just have to wait for the debut full length. I can only hope we’re not waiting for too long.