At the moment, there seems to be a lot of female-fronted heavy bands that play retro-tinged doom or hard rock in the underground music scene. Fortunately for Chicago’s Mount Salem, they have what it takes to separate themselves from the rest of this rapidly growing pack.

First, they have an ace vocalist in Emily Kopplin. Her expressive range helps give the band’s heavy music a certain every-woman quality. She is able to express these tales of loss and woe in a way that only enhances the music’s mood. Second, the band knows when to hit hard. When the riffs kick in, they kick in powerfully.

“Good Times” kicks off the record with a fuzzed-out riff that gives way to a few quieter parts in the verse, before ramping it back up for the choruses. “The Tower” alternates between ethereal parts and hard-hitting loud rock with aplomb. “Lucid” is a groovy slice of riff rock. “Full Moon” starts out as a haunting dirge before breaking into a boogie-rock gallop, and then goes full on monolithic. “Mescaline II” features more haunting vocals along with a ripping solo from guitarist Kyle Morrison. “The End” finishes the record on an epic, apocalyptic note.

While you may blink and another band with similar characteristics to this one may appear, you do not want to pass this one up. Mount Salem have managed to set themselves apart with well-written songs, haunting vocals, killer riffs, and the right type of mood that is essential for crafting memorable metal. 

(Metal Blade Records, 5737 Kanan Rd #143, Agoura Hills, CA 91301)