The Hidden Hand needs no introduction, but for those who have no idea what they're all about, the band features Scott �Wino� Weinrich of Saint Vitus, The Obsessed, Spirit Caravan, and Place of Skulls fame. Their two contributions to Night Letters �show that despite Wino�s deity status in the doom pantheon, The Hidden Hand are very much a band of equals. "Five Point" is centered on a driving riff that�s typical of Wino. "Welcome to Sunshine" is an instrumental that shows what a year of constant touring does to a band. It�s fluid yet tight, with fantastic playing by all three members of the band.

Wooly Mammoth doesn't have the pedigree of The Hidden Hand, but that doesn�t diminish the impact of their two tracks. It�s fuzz rock distilled with a classic �70s vibe. Night Letters will probably be purchased due to The Hidden Hand�s contributions, but a good number of people will walk away fans of Wooly Mammoth too. It�s an excellent split CD.

I picked this up for the new Hidden Hand stuff, but after playing it constantly this week I think I might actually like the Wooly Mammoth tunes better. Those guys really know how to write a catchy heavy tune.

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