AAWKS – On Through the Sky Maze (Review)

AAWKS are a Canadian doom band and this is their second album.

Up until now my first and only encounter with AAWKS was on their enjoyable split with Aiwass from 2023. I almost missed this one, until a friend recommended it, and here we are. On Through the Sky Maze delivers 48 minutes of occult psychedelic doom metal for us to devour, and it tastes damn good.

AAWKS have a charismatic take on occult doom, and have an enviable ability to deliver both atmosphere and massive riffs. AAWKS crank out dark occult auras, but equally kick out the jams like nobody’s business.

The AAWKS style is a compelling mix of stoner, doom metal, sludge, psych rock, and attitude. There are heavy riffs and psychedelic soundscapes. Sludgy groove sits next to trippy atmospheres. Screaming solos and mindbending melodies get under your skin. Vocally, we get treated to blood curling screams, deep monstrous growls, and doomy cleans. All are well-performed, bringing aggression and feeling to the table. Enriched at various points by the targeted use of synths, violin, and organ, On Through the Sky Maze has a lot to offer.

The songs are well-written and balance mood-focused doom with insidious hooks; after a few listens AAWKS will well and truly have their claws in you. There’s a decent amount of variety in pace and feel too, within the stylistic framework, and the band make good use of all all of their available tools. AAWKS know how to use their influences to build doom metal songs that reward the listener for their time.

I’m glad I didn’t let this pass me by. AAWKS have produced a strong album that’s very enjoyable and moreish.

Very highly recommended.

Definitely one for fans of Black Sabbath, Church of Misery, Dopethrone, Electric Wizard, Green Lung, Ufomammut, etc.