New Keepers of the Water Towers

So, why the heck did it take four decades for heavy metal to come up with a cryptozoological concept band? Seems like a natural, doesn't it? But finally, at least judging from song titles ("Pursuit of Yeti," "Fall of the Massive Boar"), that's what this young Stockholm, Sweden, foursome seems up to. New Keepers first emerged around 2007, with a sound straddling doom and stoner but with hints of prog, thrash and old-time acoustic boogie; their two home-made EPs -- The Chronicles of Iceman and Chronicles of the Massive Boar were united on a 2009 album called, logically, Chronicles. A second album known as The Calydonian Hunt, appropriately packaged in what looks like prehistoric hieroglyphics, emerged in 2011. And once again, intriguingly, three of the band's four members (guitarist Rasmus Booberg, drummer Tor Sjoden, guitarist Victor Berg) were credited with vocals -- apparently, only bassists Edward Hansson (now gone) and Robin Holmberg keep their traps shut.