Cazador – Acceptance/Isolation

Band: Cazador
Album: Acceptance/Isolation
Country: USA
Label: Suspended Soul Tapes and Records
Release Date: 04 December 2020
Format Reviewed: High-Quality Digital Recording

Cazador is a sludge, doom, and post-metal three-piece band that began their metal emergence in 2014. They are from Boston, and consist of bass player and lead vocalist, Joe Haryanto; drum player and backing vocals, Cliff Cazeau; and, guitar player, Jake Quinn. Prior albums and EP’s include: “Whole Lotta Mob Sh*t”, 2016, “Broken Sun”, 2017, “Failure to Thrive”, 2019, and “Cazador I and II” 2020.

I’ve read excerpts from their own view of themselves as a band and came away with some very positive viewpoints: firstly, they have evolved from a purely doom metal band and took on more nuances from other styles of music to further fine-tune their original sound, and, they wish to continue to grow and push more boundaries in their lyrics and melodies. As well as reach for inspiration from other genres to make their sound resonate with the listener. Very important to them as a band, is to impart feeling into their music, to give it more of an emotional impact. All of these points combined made me wish to review this band and discover for myself how “Cazador” can create what they are striving for.

The first single is “Blindfold”, which opens with somber keyboard notes, vocals are almost apathetic until they explode in furious angst. Guitars feed the mood of fury and melancholy. “Mean World Syndrome”, is track two, beginning in a droning guitar sequence with vocals at counterpoint to the thrumming of strings. Melodies are abundant, feeling more melancholic in sound. The doom influence that “Cazador” began with is strongly felt.

The third track, “F32.8” slips in the way nostalgia does. Guitar riffs building atmosphere and the instruments are front and center. No vocals in this. The fourth track is “Exigent”, and this one is very rock inspired. a departure from the sludge/doom featured so far. “Tough Love” is the fifth track, opening and carrying through with strong vocals, hammering drums, and riffs. Apathy and despair are what is felt in this. Lastly, “Karoshi” follows with heavy-hitting sludge. Arduous and weighted but the melody is there.

Cazador has really worked to redefine who they are, their ability to reach for nuances of other genres, build on their own strong doom and sludge origins, and surprise the listener with what they can imagine and produce as very good metal. I give a 7/10 Metal Marie

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