Hailing from Italy, BOTTOMLESS was formed in 2016 by the hands of vocalist/guitarist Giorgio Trombino and drummer David Lucido; bassist Sara Bianchin joined shortly after. Collectively, the band possesses a wealth of experience across other prior and present bands, including Messa, Assumption, Becerus, Shrieking Demons, Morbo, and many more. Five years later, in 2021 and preceded by a trio of three of digital singles, BOTTOMLESS released their self-titled debut album: a clear affirmation of the power-trio's commitment to traditional doom metal yet with a slightly '70s edge, bluesy and hard rocking. Now, two years later, BOTTOMLESS return with their second full-length. Appropriately titled The Banishing, the band take bold steps into new territories here, retaining their rootsy doom sound but moving it toward the epic and sometimes evil and most definitely dark. The relatively-dramatic shift reflects a focus on themes of magic, death, remembrance, and sorrow, most poignantly displayed across such tracks as "Guardians of Silence," "By the Sword of the Archangel," and the acoustic ballad "Drawn Into Yesterdays." Even more so than the first album, The Banishing is a doom metal record for doom maniacs, reflecting emotional atmospheres reminiscent of classic Candlemass, Solitude Aeternus, the UK's Solstice, and Manilla Road's slower moments whilst firmly residing on a foundation of '80s doom ala Pentagram, Trouble, and especially Black Sabbath; one could say that BOTTOMLESS are even approaching the latter's cult years with Tony Martin on the mic. And like the best vintage doom, whether it's entrenched in the '70s or '80s, The Banishing is richly wrapped in an authentically analog production, all recorded, mixed, and mastered on tape in a few sessions. BOTTOMLESS are truly hitting their stride now. The Banishing is for all those heavy rockin' castaways who are living backwards, banished from the modern world and still looking to carve their own individual path into the realm of slow, somber heavy metal.
