When a band or artist decides to record an instruments-only release there is a degree of confidence implied that goes beyond that of a traditional record. Vocals aren?t always necessary to make good music, but without them, the focus is entirely on the music. Fortunately, Hamburg Sludge merchants SHAKHTYOR put their money where their (metaphorical) mouths are on their newest release, ?Tunguska?. What becomes clear from the beginning of the thunderous and driving ?Baryon? is there is nothing pretentious or showy about the musical artistry that takes place across the album. At times, as with the latter track, the band batter the senses with a single-minded, yet still-intelligent aggression; other times, the guitars ring cold and bleak across forlorn sonic landscapes as is the case with ?Pechblende?, whose tone of sparseness and longing serves as a great transition to the mammoth ?Zerfall?. SHAKHTYOR?s music is very thought-provoking and satisfying in its way. While it may test the patience of some listeners, ?Tunguska? is undoubtedly a fine work of thinking man?s Doom Metal.