Cleansed Through Fire and Blood is that rarest of beasts: a nasty little underground metal release that I actually feel bad about recommending. Salvador are a (for the moment) unsigned doom act from the burgeoning Northwestern scene, and this limited-run debut EP exists only in 10” vinyl format. Needless to say, it’ll be damn near impossible for those outside the region to find, and only those with turntables need apply.

Which is a rotten shame, because Salvador have all the makings of a doom juggernaut. Cleansed Through Fire… features three relatively terse (read: four- to six-minute) cuts that blend a fuzzy, doped-out aesthetic with some seriously epic melodies and dynamic shifts. The overall effect isn’t dissimilar to the likes of Deadbird or Samothrace, but Salvador’s songs are noticeably more compact and accessible. Plus—and here’s another rarity—bassist Kirk Evans’s vocal contributions are outstanding; his semi-melodic hollering is an excellent example of a frequently attempted but usually bungled approach.

Though there’s little chance that you’ll be able to find Cleansed Through Fire… in your neighborhood record shop, it’s ample proof of Salvador’s considerable potential. Keep an eye out for these guys.