Axis of Eden

Are they a doom, sludge, or noise metal band? That is a question that has been foisted upon Today Is the Day for much of their career thus far. However, as evidenced by their 2007 release, Axis of Eden (and first for the Supernova label), the group -- which has long been led by singer, guitarist, songwriter, and producer, Steve Austin -- the group is getting increasingly more melodic. But rest assured longtime fans, there is still plenty of noise and molasses-murky riffage to go around. Things kick off with the sluggish and Sabbath-y "Free at Last," which is a sonic approach that appears throughout the album, as evidenced by such other standouts as the powerful Kyuss-like "Circus Maximus." But if it's noise you want, it's noise you still get from Today Is the Day -- especially on "If You Want Peace Prepare for War" (which halfway through, transforms into a nifty Beatles-esque middle eastern tune) and the mysteriously-titled "Black Steyr Aug," among others. Unlike the majority of doom metal bands that are sonically one-dimensional, Today Is the Day are not afraid to go off exploring, as evidenced by Axis of Eden. ~ Greg Prato