Saviours: Earth’s Possession and Death’s Procession

Using sonic cues from the past to make social criticisms about the future, Oakland stoner-doom quartet Saviours are a testament to the power of the riff. The cavernous sound found in the six-string worship of their third full-length album Death’s Procession is as deep and heavy as their message. Sawing rhythms and howling, dual leads build to ripping solos, while the lyrics tackle the irreversible destruction of the Earth. With thunderously down-tuned slow-burners like “The Eye Obscene,” catchy, vintage melodies in the aptly-titled “Fire of Old” and punishing thrash speeds on tracks like “God’s End,” Saviours’ focus isn’t exclusively doom and gloom, but an exercise in heavy versatility.

"Crete'n" Saviours

"Cavern of Mind" Saviours

Since forming in 2004, vocalist/guitarist Austin Barber and drummer Scott Batiste have drawn inspiration from British heavy metal bands such as Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Motörhead and Iron Maiden -- bands who forged pop songs out of steel instead of bubblegum. The group’s integrated those influences into their sound, but has also embraced the geographical darkness that comes with residing in northern California. With the collision of these two worlds, the band’s forged their own, distinct sound, and, as they’ve come into their own, garnered a great deal of respect.

Meeting Barber and Batiste at their local haunt, The Avenue -- a charmingly Halloween-ready dive -- we witnessed a “passing of the mic” moment. Matt Pike -- frontman of legendary metal group High on Fire -- drove by, his signature bark echoing as he hung out the window to get Barber’s attention. With Pike’s admiration, and the band’s close ties to the local motorcycle scene (see the badass “Crete’n” video featuring skateboarder-turned-bike-builder Max Schaaf), Saviours are undoubtedly becoming synonymous with the other counterculture greats of Oakland.

In our video interview, they discuss their overall vision for the band, how their powerful riffs are born (spoiler: it happens in the drummer’s mind!) and the uncanny ability they have to “make people angry and stoked and want to punch each other but really happy at the same time.” Want a taste? Add a sampling of their tunes to your library below and get stoked. -- Jen Guyre

"Crete'n" Saviours

"Cavern of Mind" Saviours