AAWKS/Aiwass – The Eastern Scrolls – Split (Review)

AAWKS are from Canada and Aiwass is a one-man act from the US. Both play psychedelic doom.

The Eastern Scrolls is a 28-minute concept split release that consists of one track from each band. I’m totally unfamiliar with both AAWKS and Aiwass, but how could I resist giving this a listen with that striking cover?

AAWKS are up first, with 1831. With a well-rounded sound, 1831 launches itself into a psychedelic haze right from the start with a sample, some textured bass, and then a hazy psych doom workout that’s most compelling. Coming across as a psych-heavy mix between Electric Wizard, Ufomammut, and Rezn, this is an enjoyable slab of immensity.

It’s quite the trip that AAWKS take us on, through seas of rich distortion, mountains of cosmic doomy riffs, and a selection of different vocals. Delving deep into immersive atmosphere at just over halfway through, the song offers a multifaceted and engaging journey.

After that we have Aiwass with The Unholy Books, which reveals itself to be a sinister mood-piece, despite its plentiful distortion. It has all of the riffs and heaviness it needs to build a soundscape of colossal doom, but the song’s structure and flow is one focused towards the creation of substantial atmospheric presence more than anything else.

The Unholy Books makes me think of what Warhorse, Black Sabbath, and Soundgarden might sound like if they were spliced together. Sort of, anyway. It’s a highly atmospheric work that drips with dark psychedelia and unearthly malevolence. I also really like the artist’s singing voice.

Both AAWKS and Aiwass have demonstrated themselves able purveyors of quality doomy psychedelia on The Eastern Scrolls. If you have a taste for this sort of style, then don’t miss out on this.

Highly recommended.