The Nomen Est Omen split EP opens with the bombastic, powerful stoner rock of local heavyweights Desert Storm, who should need no introduction to any self-respecting local metalhead. These tracks should be familiar as two cuts from 2013’s Horizontal Life album, and showcase the behemoth wall of noise that has become the band’s signature. With a strong Clutch influence, the sound is fuzzed out, bluesy and memorable, with a driving rhythm that can become almost overpowering in more brutal, thrash-influenced moments. ‘Word To The Wise Man’ combines traditional blues-influenced riffs and lead guitar work flawlessly, with guttural, whisky-soaked vocals that evoke more modern metal. ‘Shadow Of An Eagle’ supplies more of the same, and although it hints at some of the darker, more subtle psychedelic undertones of the rest of Horizontal Life, Desert Storm have put their best foot forward with two tracks of straightforward, grooving stoner rock, that are sure to win them support from fans of the genre.

Komatsu may be a less familiar name. Hailing from Eindhoven in The Netherlands, these guys kick out big, dark, ominous riffs, which despite thundering forward on a bed of heavy drums and grungy riffs, have more of an oppressive, doom-influenced feel. Although the vocals are impressively rasping, and they drone along in a suitably depressive, doomy manner, evoking Sleep, they sometimes seem to fall a little flat, not quite matching the power of Komatsu’s instrumental riffery. ‘July’ features some nice Kyuss-influenced riffs and lead guitar, with a little more of an upbeat feel that is decidedly punky. Although Komatsu’s side of this split perhaps lacks some of the charisma of their local counterparts, this EP is certainly well worth a listen, and it’s hard to imagine that most Desert Storm fans wouldn’t dig this a lot.

More information at www.blindsightrecords.co.uk/desert_storm-komatsu.html