The very definition of a cult band, it's surprised me to remember Corrosion Of Conformity's existence after their absence from the scene since 2005's In The Arms Of God. Pepper Keenan's lack of input and missing vocals here will not have fans cheering, but this album's return to heavier, doomier territory may well do, as may his replacement Woody Weatherman (also on guitar). It's not an instantly gripping album, but it is an album that knows what it's doing and that worms its way into your affections with some good riffs and decent songwriting. I wouldn't be surprised if doom fans appreciate it more than fans of the band, actually - despite the fast-paced and almost punky likes of Leeches, River Of Stone is practically old school doom.

Yet summing Corrosion Of Conformity up at all is difficult, especially when taking the band's fairly fluid and varied back catalogue into account. Heavy yet atmospheric instrumental El Lamento De Las Cabras is southern rock meandering done well, yet the following Your Tomorrow is lightly deranged sludgy pounding, speeding up and slowing down with casual disregard for your ears but making sure to rock out. That's a common feature of the album, through the stomping The Moneychangers and nicely melodic Come Not Here. Some tracks are almost grungey in an oddly old-school way, the groovy Rat City a good example. Psychic Vampire, the album opener, is at the top of my list of good songs for sticking in your head well with its grooving riffs and sudden-speed ups, even if it's not the most skilfully-constructed bit of stoner you've ever heard.

Where Corrosion Of Conformity fails to convince is as a package - worth waiting seven years for? Hell, no. But it is a decent set of songs which will tickle your eardrums and keep you coming back for longer than would at first seem. Sadly, that first impression is of a rather dull, disappointing album, and not everyone will bother to give it enough time to get past that.