Although this is an EP, only three of the disc’s five tracks are new. From the sludge that hits you on the first note of “Portraits of Pain,” it is clear that Goatsnake is moving away from simple stoner rock and into something much heavier. Anderson’s guitar is tuned down into the realm of muck and mire. As with previous releases, Pete Stahl’s vocals are perfect for this type of music - completely intelligible, but solid. “Black Cat Bone” picks up the pace a bit before progressing into the nine-minute epic “Juniors Jam.” The faint strains of a harmonica coupled with animal sounds near the end of the song serves as a nice break before the two covers on the EP.Neither of the cover songs are new - they are just a bit harder to come by in the Goatsnake catalogue. Both were recorded with the band’s original lineup still intact. Up first is a cover of Saint Vitus’ “Burial at Sea” which also appeared on the group’s split with Burning Witch from 2000. The tastiest offering on Trampled Under Hoof is easily “Hot Rod” - a cover of a Black Oak Arkansas song from 1973’s Raunch & Roll Live. This gem is probably unknown by younger fans, but Goatsnake created an absolutely stellar rendition for their final track.
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