2009's VOICE OF SATURN is Zoroaster's second album and third release overall, and it continues to supplement the group's original sludge/doom foundation with surprising layers of eclecticism and experimentation.

The Atlanta, GA-based trio still traffics primarily in genre trademarks like droning riffs, deliberate tempos, and crusty vocals (often intoning occult lyrics inspired by black metal originators such as Venom and Hellhammer), but first track "Seeing the Dark," soon abandons its cyclopean power chords for a spare piano and, later, stoned-out chants over droning riffs more reminiscent of '90s alt metal.

Likewise, the head-nodding extravaganza "Undying" eventually introduces ghostly, backwards guitar licks leading into a frenzied hardcore outburst.

Even though the presence of a pair of 14-minute behemoths would suggest a funeral doom fest of epic proportions, the first, "Spirit Molecule," actually introduces assorted hyperspace sound effects halfway through, and the second, "Lament of the Master Therion," is in fact a short distorted piano piece, augmented by a lengthy percussive coda.

Rounding out the album is the deep-space feedback holocaust of "White Dwarf" (featuring guest guitar by Mastodon's Brent Hinds).