Place Of Skulls formed in 2000 by ex-'Pentagram/Death Row' vocalist-Victor Griffin, bassist-Lee Abney, & drummer-Tim Tomaselli. POS hails from Knoxville, TN and are well known for their style of Doom Metal. This is the first Doom album that I have added to my collection and I must say Wow!! what a band! Place Of Skulls gets the idea for their band's name from the Biblical reference to Golgotha where Jesus was crucified and sacrificed for our sins which was often called the 'place of the skull'.

     If you are like me, then when you think of Doom Metal, you think that the band's riffs are going to be slow, very slow-sludging guitars with a vocalist that is scary sounding and not very understandable. Well that's not the case here with POS. Instead, what we find is exactly the opposite. POS now has four releases to their credit 2010-'As A Dog Returns' , 2005-'The Black Is Never Far' , 2003-'With Vision' , & '2002-Nailed'.

       In 2010 Place Of Skulls released their fourth album called 'As A Dog Returns' which is a "user friendly" album, being that just about any Metal Head could easily access this doom laden release and enjoy it. 
       You might be asking just what exactly is Doom Metal? Well, 'Doom Metal' is an extreme form of Heavy Metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much thicker or heavier sound than other Metal genres. The Guitars intend to evoke a sense of despair, dread, and impending doom."  (See Genre Defs for more genre info) .  Place of Skulls is very good at mixing things up yet still not forsaking the Doom genre even though they often reach for faster tempos and Blues guitar play throughout this release.
      Vocalist Victor Griffin makes his presence known here and does a nice  job with his Bluesy Metal voice. Victor has a powerful and distinct delivery that sounds as though he stepped out of the 80's era. This is a good thing because he helps set the atmosphere for POS's sound by delivering a little of the unexpected to the Doom genre.
      Production on the album, "As a Dog Returns", sounds great and I can hear all the instruments and vocals in their proper place. I must say that this is a first class album and a must for all Metal fans. 
     A lot of the lyrics come straight from the Bible with some passages coming right out of Psalms. Victor sings about our Savior Jesus and what He did for us on the cross like in the bluesy song "Day Spring". Then there's an amazing Power Ballad called "He's God"  which has overtly Christ centered lyrics as well and, in my opinion, deserves radio play. The lyrics are very well done here and really have plenty of depth to them while drawing you closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we can see here:  

"Dayspring"
Can you take the pain
Can you take the shame
Won't you take a stand
And give up being a broken man

You play with sin, fall everytime
A broken heart and a seared mind
But there's one to lift and restore
And bring you back to His glory

Have you scratched the surface of light
Staying bound in darkness, doin' your time
Well God Almighty has a future and hope
These thoughts towards you He wants you to know

Trust in Him, not how you understand
In all your ways, He will direct your path
At this place there's peace you will find
Guard your heart for it flows the issues of life

Come to Me, so you can stand
Come to Me, be free at last
A Dayspring flows from my pierced hands
For one and all, the Son of Man

"He's God"
What makes a man want to tear away within
When we can't face the truth and it seems there's no end
There's a way we can come, there's a road we can take
Where we'll find the strength to start a brand new day

We hold back the tears and we hold in our fears
There's got to be more in this life to live for

He's God, forever and a day
He's God, He is the only way
He's God, He's the King on High
He's God...

In the storms of our lives when it seems we can't bear
The pressure each day, sometimes it's so hard to care
And our souls cry out, we've got to take a stand
Put our trust in Him, He is the Beginning and End

Leave our cares with Him and our lives He will change
On the road less-traveled, He'll show us the way

He's God... He's a Mighty Mountain

(See Site Info for Sword Scale meaning)

        In closing, I can highly recommend Place of Skulls album 'As a Dog Returns' to all Metal fans that want to add something different to their Metal collection that is Doom base oriented. 

Musicians: 
Victor Griffin - Lead vocals, Guitars
Lee Abney - Bass, Backing Vocals
Pete Campbell - Drums