Stag is a two-piece sludge-metal outfit from Missouri. This self-released four-song EP is a definite homage to the likes of early Neurosis with doom metal experimentation here and there. The drumwork of Ash over the four songs is quite impressive as he unveils a wide variety of techniques. The guitars handled by Michael are thick as molasses, though he occasionally dabbles in some ambient passages, intricate melodies, and droning repetitive riffage. For just two individuals, this is some heavy music. A lot of bands with four or five members deep can't pull off a sound this big. There are, however, a few weak spots. There is a definite lack of bottom-end that the addition of a bassist could easily fill. Also, the production is a little muffled. But then again, the gritty sound does compliment this style of music well, so it's not all bad. Stag is definitely a band to watch progress; their future is promising.
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