Just in time for Halloween, doom metal kings Electric Wizard have unleashed another album. As with any of their records, it’s pretty much a given that it’ll contain huge, sludgy, Sabbathian riffs baked over slow and thunderous dirges lasting ten minutes or more. Each one a celebration of the occult. “Time To Die” doesn’t fail to deliver.

The opening track “Incense For The Damned” begins with the sound of a boiling cauldron. Or is that bongwater? After a ten minute build, it explodes into waves of noise. Jus Oborn’s vocals are way back in the mix and drenched in reverb. He sounds like he’s singing from the bottom of a cave.

To add to the creepiness factor, the record is riddled with voice samples from horror movies. It’s hard to listen to the track “Destroy Those Who Love God” without feeling uncomfortable as the title is repeated by the voice of a young child.

The previous two albums were criticized for containing more accessible fare (you could almost sing along to “Dunwich” from 2007’s “Witchcult Today”) “Time To Die” has none of this. The songs feel much more bottom heavy, though not as dense as previous efforts.

It’s not the most accessible record, but there aren’t many bands that have perfected the doom formula like Electric Wizard. Longtime fans will know what to expect while newcomers will be able to embrace some seriously scary metal music.