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Primordial w/ support – Porto, Portugal

Posted in Gig, Live with tags Aura, Basalto, black, Celtic, Doom, Folk, Hard Club, Heathen Crusade 2018, Metal, Notredame Productions, Porto, Primordial, Stoner on 22nd October 2018 by Pieni

Primordial, Basalto, Aura
Hard Club, Porto (PT)
21st September 2018
Promoted by Notredame Productions

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One month yesterday and the memories still send shivers down my spine. Primordial’s songs already have that effect on their fans, but something about that night’s performance made them more enthralling. I always thank the promoters for allowing me the chance of shooting these gigs but this time my heartfelt reverence towards Carlos Freitas and Notredame Productions goes deeper, for bringing such show to us.

DSC_0067 copy But first things first. Post black metal Aura, promoting their debut EP “Hamartia”, which had been released in July. Aggressive, but bearing the somberness of a doom band, the mix works out extremely well, the four musicians really “into it” when on stage. For what I could gather, “Your Eyes Can Sweat My Desire For Catharsis” is their strongest track. An extra note on the bass player’s professionalism, as the piece on the bass that holds the strap broke but he didn’t stop playing; he just put his foot up on one monitor and held the instrument on his knee. I can only imagine the strain on his back and arms while doing it. In the end of the song he fixed it with duct tape, but since their songs are over 6 minutes long, consider my hat tipped.
https://www.facebook.com/oficialauraband/

Then came the 99%-instrumental Basalto. In fact, the first I’d seen them, a few months prior, I’d say they were an instrumental act. But this time, on the first and last track, guitarist António Baptista growled something indecipherable.
The final product is labelled as stoner/doom metal, but it’s achieved with a variety of other elements, such as jazz and blues, making it a lot spicier, more spirited. “Doença (“disease” in Portuguese) is their second album, released in February, and according to them, it represents everything black or dark in Humanity’s intellectuality. Interesting concept.
https://www.facebook.com/basaltostoner/

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In +25 years of attending concerts, I can only remember three concerts that went on for two hours: Iced Earth (the “Horror Show” tour, which coincided with the release of the boxset “Dark Genesis” and so the band decided to play a little bit of their full discography so far, with three different stage sets); Queensrÿche (the “Operation: Mindcrime” 20th anniversary tour where they performed both the album and its sequel in full) and Moonspell (the 20th anniversary of “Irreligious”, where they also played the whole DSC_0272 copy “Wolfheart” and “Extinct” albuns). Primordial was now the fourth, but the first without any special reason for it, apart from “not being like one of these new bands who play for an hour and go home” (quoting Nemtheanga himself). You’ve probably done the math by now: more time to play, less key-songs left out of the set, even if they have to insert new ones out of the latest “Exile Amongst The Ruins”. Plus, if you know how charismatic Nemtheanga is, you know how intense every minute of a Primordial show can be; 120 of them is something just beyond words.
Nemtheanga recalled several times their first show in Portugal, 20 years ago, praising “his friend” José Costa for it, and also mentioned the last time they’ve played at Hard Club (although that gig happened in the original venue, on the other side of the river, but that he didn’t seem to remember). Such sweet nostalgia, brought on not just by the older songs…
From “Nail Their Tongues” to “Empire Falls”, going through “To Hell Or The Hangman” or – my all-time favorite – “The Coffin Ships”, this concert was a roller-coaster ride of emotions that will hardly be forgotten by any of the presents.
https://www.facebook.com/primordialofficial/

Text & photos by Renata “Pieni” Lino

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My Silent Wake – An Unbroken Threnody

Posted in Uncategorized with tags an unbroken threnody, best of, compilation, Doom, my silent wake, stone groove records on 24th February 2016 by Paul Macmillan

My Silent Wake
An Unbroken Threnody
Released 08^th February 2016
Doom metal
Released via Stone Groove Records

‘Best of’ compilations can be a great way to introduce new listeners to a band, and in An Unbroken Threnody, My Silent Wake have properly grabbed my attention. This collection of music is drawn from the first ten years of their fairly prolific career, and therefore encompasses a fairly wide spread of style, ranging from more or less pure doom, through a touch of death metal, and what might even be a hint of psychedelic doom, a la The Blood Divine’s Mystica.

As the press release states, this is ‘for fans of’ Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, and Indiscience. The influences of these bands are plain as day, out there for all to see – and it’s glorious! PL and MDB are clearly a massive part of the mix, and, for someone who remembers the soul shaking gothic riffs of the 1990s, it is a welcome return to a sensation long resigned to the ‘meh’ pile of life. If I’d been aware of this band throughout their existence, I would have devoured their releases one after the other. However, I’m almost glad I didn’t, as this is a real pleasure to delve into without prior warning.

There are naturally parts which are stronger than others. It’s a good sign that two of the crowning moments, Highwire & And So It Comes To An End, are taken from 2015’s Damnatio Memoriae, and show a band who have matured rather than grown flaccid with age. Older material still stands up perfectly well, such as the diabolically hefty Tunnels – the opener from 2008’s A Garland Of Tears -and the almost folk-infused Shadow Of Sorrow from their debut of the same name.

It’s inspiring to hear a band who have delivered such consistently high-calibre output, even more so when a decade’s worth of their music hits you square in the chops in one sitting. If you were a fan of any of the acts mentioned in this review, but haven’t yet checked out MSW, I highly recommend you do. Although the comparisons are spot on, this is no imitation. This is the real deal.

4.5/5

Paul Macmillan

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King Witch – Shoulders Of Giants

Posted in Uncategorized with tags classic metal, Doom, EP, king witch, self release, shoulder of giants on 19th November 2015 by Paul Macmillan

King Witch
Shoulders Of Giants [EP]
Released November 09^th 2015
Doom / classic metal
Self-released

King Witch - Shoulders Of Giants

Kicking off with an eerie intro to the title track, the real fun with King Witch’s debut EP, Shoulders Of Giants, starts when they cut to the chase with their strange concoction of slightly black, doomed-up, sludgy trad metal. Although this may leave you expecting a drawling beast of a record, lumbering on at tectonic velocity, there’s actually quite the rapid flow at times, and in shying from self-indulgence, King Witch make every shot count, never lingering in one territory for too long.

They also seem to have access to bottomless pockets of metal-ology into which to delve in the quest to keep things engaging. While Black Sabbath are riding high in the Shoulders… world, there is equally a shadow of Death looming ominous on the barren horizon, casting a prog-metal tone over the landscape. When you have three tracks of doom to state your case to the world, set to diverge at several musical tangents, it should be self-apparent why KW have seemingly made efforts to keep things moving along fairly swiftly.

The warlock on top of the mountain, however, we have still to address here. As some may already know, King Witch included the talents of long-term partners in crime, Laura Donnelly and Jamie Gilchrist, formerly operating in the much lauded Firebrand Super Rock. Where Gilchrist’s guitar work shines through as part of the musical character described above, Donnelly provides what is quite simply ultimate power, full blast, metal vocals; a classic delivery in the realms of Tony ‘The Cat’ Martin or Brittney Slayes, with the slightly cheesy undertones switched out for something altogether darker.

Although this is their first release, and they only formed in 2015, this is something special, and King Witch could well make a significant dent in the scene in 2016 if they keep up this level of work. There’s nothing quite like this kicking about at present, and it’s likely that any who tried to emulate it would fall far short of the mark. Powerful, professional and unique.

4/5

Paul Macmillan

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Vallenfyre w/ Foscor – Porto, Portugal

Posted in Live with tags Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom, Foscor, Greg Mackintosh, Iberian tour, Prime Artists, splinters over Iberia, Vallenfyre on 9th February 2015 by Pieni

Foscor, Vallenfyre
Hard Club, Porto (PT)
7th February 2015
Promoter: Prime Artists

Last autumn, Vallenfyre played a few shows across central Europe and England, in support of their second and most recent album “Splinters”. They left the Iberian Peninsula for the winter, in a total of eight shows in Spain and two in Portugal, under the suitable name “Splinters Over Iberia Tour”. The last one was in my hometown, Porto – courtesy of Prime Artists.

They also decided to choose an Iberian band to support them and the lucky ones were Barcelona-based Foscor. Not that it was just luck – they actually deserve it. Formed in 1997 and having released four albums – the latest, “Those Horrors Wither”, last November, so it’s quite fresh – Foscor play a mix of black and death metal, with some melody in-between. Plus, singing in both growling and clean tones, in English and Catalan, the outcome is exquisitely good! And Foscor means “darkness” in Catalan, by the way.

They focused mostly on “Those Horrors Wither”, of course, but played a couple from the previous “Groans To The Guilty” and the title-track of their second album “The Smile Of The Sad Ones”. Singer/bass player Fiar addressed the audience often, in Spanish, which was totally fine since Spanish and Portuguese are very similar; but still he apologized for not being able to speak Portuguese. How nice of him! He did say “obrigado” (thank you), and then spoke in English when it was time to thank the crew and their Vallenfyre “brothers”.

Too bad there wasn’t that many people to welcome them, and the few who were present were a little cautious at first. Eventually the applauses became more vigorous and genuine, but still too far from what it should have been, given the quality of the show. (5/5)

https://www.facebook.com/foscor.official

I’ve seen Paradise Lost almost as many times as they’ve played in Portugal (having only missed the first one), so I knew how expressive Gregor Mackintosh could be. Or I thought I knew. As much as I’d imagined he would have more liberty to move around without the guitar in his hands, I confess I’ve never expected THAT! The man is restless! And funny too! Among the quotes that made me laugh the most, there’s the one where he claimed to love God with all his semen running down His back; that he believed we were all born equal – except for their bass player Scoot; “Obrigado! See? I can speak Portuguese. Took me twenty years to learn how to say ‘thank you’. Give me another twenty and I’ll learn how to say ‘please’.”; how the following song (“Bereft”) was a calm one so “there’s the bar. Go have a drink and come back in eight minutes”; how he asked some (supposedly) upper middle-class guy in the crowd for some borrowed money, adding right away that he was joking, as he had more money than any of us could possibly imagine, “that’s why I’m wearing these pants”; or how another guy could buy him a pint at the end of the show for knowing the name of their first single (“Desecration”) – something Mackintosh was certain no one knew. Oh, and how they would play a song about beef (“Cattle”). Having such humorous moments mixed with the abrasiveness of Vallenfyre’s death metal and the heavy sorrow of their doom was just priceless. Amazing performance in all fronts!

On a less-of-a-joke note, he said Porto was his favorite city in Europe; that he’d been here for gigs, on vacation… although he had a drinking problem (this because we have very good wine – not just our trademark Port – and beer). Now I don’t know if he really meant that – the favorite part – but it obviously put a smile on my face and brought out a roaring ovation from the crowd.

Despite promoting “Splinters”, as they only have one other full-length album (“A Fragile King”), the one-hour-and-a-half setlist was equally divided between the two, but starting and finishing with the opening and final tracks from “Splinters” – “Scabs” and the title-track, respectively, the latter “a video you might have seen. It has demons.”

Everyone hoped for an encore, especially when the lights took so long to be turned on, but it didn’t happen – either because they hadn’t rehearsed any other song or because of the “Techno Lovers” night that was taking place at Hard Club afterwards. Anyway, no one can complain – the show was perfect as it was (except for the low number of people, that is, but at least we made it count). (5/5)

https://www.facebook.com/Vallenfyre

Text & photos: Renata “Pieni” Lino

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Foscor release entire back catalogue digitally

Posted in News with tags blackmetal, Dark Rock, Doom, Foscor, Horrors Wither, Progressive Rock, YouTube on 6th March 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Dark metallers Foscor have released their entire back catalogue digitally, including the band’s first three albums: 2004’s Entrance to the Shadows’ Village, 2007’s The Smile of the Sad Ones and 2009’s Groans to the Guilty. Each album includes lyrics and information. For the first month, the albums will be available for free download from this location. The band’s back catalogue is also available for streaming on YouTube.

With over a decade in the music scene, Foscor recently announced that the band’s natural musical progression and development has led to a change in style away from the traditional 90’s Black Metal mixed with other classical and modern extreme styles, for which they became know. Breaking free from the restrictions the genre places on bands has enabled Foscor to expand their sound to include shades of Doom and Dark Rock, majestic interludes and a healthy flirtation with Prog. Frontman Fiar is quick to point out though that fans will still recognise the distinctive Foscor style, which the band have not rejected, but have made better, and which will be very much in evidence in the band’s newly completed fourth full-length album Those Horrors Wither.

Currently in search of a label for Those Horrors Wither, Foscor have chosen a somewhat unusual direction with the guest appearances on the album. Instead of the expected vocals or instrumental solos, the notable guests have written and performed connecting passages between the tracks.

Foscor online:

http://foscor.com
http://facebook.com/foscor.official
http://soundcloud.com/foscor
http://twitter.com/FOSCOR_Official
http://youtube.com/user/FOSCORbcn
http://foscor.bigcartel.com
http://myspace.com/foscor
http://reverbnation.com/foscor

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Cripple Bastards release first track from new album

Posted in News with tags Australia, Cripple Bastard, Cripple Bastards, Doom, Italy, Japan, Maryland Deathfest, Nero In Metastasi, Obscene Extreme, Tokyo on 8th January 2014 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Long running Italian band Cripple Bastards have released the first punishing track from their new album Nero In Metastasi, which is due out mid-February. Crushing everything in its way with almost three minutes of total bombardment, the album’s opening track Malato Terminale immediately lets the band’s devoted following know they’re in for an ultra-metallic neckbreaker of expected chaos, and lets newcomers know to join their movement or get out of the way. The song can be heard down below and you can pre-order the album at this location.

Cripple Bastard will also heading out on later this month. You can catch them at the following shows:

11/1/2014 Cueva Rock Live – Cagliari, Italy
14/1/2014 Viper Theatre – Florence, Italy
25/2/2014 Kingcobra Squat – Osaka, Japan w/ Red, Riverge, Ramone Takayama & The Students, Palm, Masterpeace
26/2/2014 Huck Finn – Nagoya, Japan w/ Black Ganion, Not A Name Soldiers, Hell And Hell, Sacred Aeolia, Top Breeder
27/2/2014 Bar El Puente – Yokohama, Japan
28/2/2014 Asakusa Kurawood – Tokyo, Japan @ Obscene Extreme Asia w/ Jig-Ai, Contrast Attitude, Butcher Abc, Brain Corrosion
02/3/2014 Asakusa Kurawood – Tokyo, Japan @ Obscene Extreme Asia w/ Doom, Framtid, Systematic Death, Gore Beyond Necropsy
05/3/2014 Blackwire Records – Sydney, Australia w/ Jig-Ai
06/3/2014 The Basement – Canberra, Australia w/ Jig-Ai
07/3/2014 The Reverence Hotel – Melbourne, Australia @ Obscene Extreme Australia w/ Jig-Ai, Captain Cleanoff
08/3/2014 The Corner Hotel – Melbourne, Australia @ Obscene Extreme Australia w/ Doom, Nowyourefucked, The Kill
22-25/5/2014 Maryland Deathfest – Baltimore, MD

Cripple Bastards online:

http://cripple-bastards.com
http://facebook.com/cripplebastard

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EXCLUSIVE STREAM: Wolves by Edenfall

Posted in Misc. with tags Becca Dancer, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Doom, Doom metal, Edenfall, England, Gothic, Gothic Metal, Metal, Ravenheart Music, Under Sultry Moons And Velvet Skies, Wales, Wolves on 22nd December 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Gothic doom metallers Edenfall have recently been working on their second album Under Sultry Moons and Velvet Skies. The guys – and gal – in Edenfall have been kind enough to let us stream Wolves, which is taken from the album. You can listen to the song down below.

Under Sultry Moons and Velvet Skies was recorded at Recorded at Batcave Studios, Cheltenham (England) and Sonic Forge Studios in Cardiff (Wales). The album will be released via Ravenheart Music but the release date is still to be confirmed. Artwork, as seen above, was made by Becca Dancer.

Edenfall online:

http://edenfallband.co.uk
http://facebook.com/edenfallmusic

Edenfall unveil artwork for Under Sultry Moon And Velvet Skies (valkyrianmusic.com)

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Doom confirmed to headline Obscure Extreme Japan, Australia and Czech Republic

Posted in News with tags Australia, CzechRepublic, Doom, England, Japan on 10th December 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

No Obscure Extreme event is complete without a big portion of filthy crust. With a history older than grind itself, a band often cited as an early precursor to the genre and one which are considered pivotal in the rise of crust punk. The legend that is Doom, from England, will grind the Obscene Extreme 2014 stages. Doom will be playing at 3 of the 4 Obscene Extreme World Tour locations including Japan, Australia & 4 years on from their OEF appearance in 2010, Doom will return to Czech Republic.

Obscene Extreme organiser Curby comments:

We are definitely looking forward to this as they will come with their brand new album Corrupt Fucking System that is currently in production and will be put out at the end of 2013. Honestly, good old Doom are still in an excellent form!!!

Tickets are now available from this location.

Doom online:

https://www.facebook.com/doomcrustpunk

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Foscor complete new album and prepare for new era in band’s history

Posted in News with tags Barcelona, blackmetal, Dark Rock, Doom, Enslaved, Foscor, Katatonia on 25th November 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

When dark metal outfit Foscor celebrated the tenth anniversary in 2012, they not only celebrated a decade of music but drew a line under an era in their history leading them to prepare for when they embark on the next ambitious one. With work on Foscor’s fourth full-length album now completed, and a complete visual overhaul of their online presence and logo, the groundwork for the new phase in the band’s career is well and truly established.

Formed in 1997 in Barcelona, in the Catalan region of Spain, Foscor took the traditional ‘90s Black Metal and mixed it with other classical and modern extreme styles to create a sound that has seen them through the release of 3 full-length albums, a live DVD commemorating their 10^th Anniversary, 2 split releases and contributions on official Katatonia and Enslaved tribute albums, all of which have garnered them respect and a solid, and ever-growing, following. Now, with their forthcoming album, which will be titled Those Horrors Wither, Foscor have honed their considerable musical skills and decided to take the first gigantic step away from the confines of Black Metal, towards an expansive multidimensional sound that encompasses shades of Doom and Dark Rock, Ambient interludes and a healthy flirtation with Prog. It is a step that most clearly defines the band’s personal approach to their work, both musically and aesthetically, to date.

Commenting on the new sound and the new image of Foscor, founder and guitarist Falke and frontman Fiar had this to say:

It’s really not that strange that we would be moving in a different direction from the one we started out on because it’s a natural progression that comes from experience. We’re not saying that our long-time fans will wake up one morning and not recognise FOSCOR any more, not at all, because we have a particular style that is recognisable as FOSCOR – but we’ve taken that style and made it into something better. You could say that the new FOSCOR is evolution, not revolution, and, that being said, it actually needs new colours to define how we interpret Darkness, and Ideophony, who has previously worked with us on design, is the perfect partner to work with us now in physically visualising our new direction.

Foscor are currently looking for a label to release Those Horrors Wither, which includes some notable guest artists, who, somewhat unusually, rather than contributing the usual vocals or solos, have written and performed connecting passages between the tracks. More information about Foscor can be found on the band’s website, which has been newly designed, at this location.

Foscor online:

http://www.foscor.com
http://www.facebook.com/foscor.official
http://soundcloud.com/foscor
http://twitter.com/FOSCOR_Official
http://www.youtube.com/user/FOSCORbcn
http://foscor.bigcartel.com
http://www.myspace.com/foscor
http://www.reverbnation.com/foscor

Hecate Enthroned post new song online (valkyrianmusic.com)

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Seremonia’s new album: track-list, cover art and release date

Posted in News with tags Doom, Psychedelic rock, SEREMONIA, Stoner, Svart Records on 11th September 2013 by Pieni

Finnish psychedelic doom band Seremonia is ready to show the world its second full length, after last year’s self-titled debut (review here). Their label Svart Records has announced this will happen on October 18th and that will be called “Ihminen” (“human”). Track-list as follows, cover art right below:

1. Noitamestari
2. Itsemurhaaja
3. Ovi
4. Suuri Valkeus
5. Painajaisten Maa
6. Luonto Kostaa
7. Ihminen
8. Itsemurhaaja II
9. Vastaus Rukouksiisi
10. Tähtien Takaa
11. Hallava Hevonen

Last April, “Ovi” (“door”) was released as a single and gives you an idea of what to expect from this “Ihminen”. If you missed it, you can listen to it at https://soundcloud.com/svart-records/seremonia-ovi.

Seremonia online:
www.facebook.com/seremonia666
www.facebook.com/svartrecords
www.svartrecords.com

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Hang The Bastard ‘Sweet Mother’ 7″ now available for pre-order

Posted in News with tags 7", Century Media Records, Doom, Hang The Bastard, Siege Of Amida, Stoner on 3rd September 2013 by Pieni

On September 16th, London-based doom band Hang The Bastard will release their two latest tracks, “Sweet Mother” and “Dyad”, in both 7″ and digital download format, via Siege Of Amida / Century Media Records. You can pre-order the 7″ at this location.

There’s a new album in the making and HTB will play some of its new songs in two upcoming shows in London. The first one, as headliners, will take place on September 28th at Kingston, Fighting Cocks. On the second they will be supporting Xilbalba on October 4th at 229 Great Portland Street (tickets here).

http://www.facebook.com/hangthebastard

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Edenfall unveil artwork for Under Sultry Moon And Velvet Skies

Posted in News with tags Atmospheric, Beccy Dancer, Doom, Edenfall, Forever Fallen, Gothic, Metal, Under Sultry Moon And Velvet Skies on 3rd September 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Atmospheric gothic doom act Edenfall have unveiled the artwork for their next album; Under Sultry Moon And Velvet Skies. The release date is currently to be confirmed as the band head into the studio next month to start recording. The album is the follow-up to the band’s 2011 debut album Forever Fallen. The artwork was designed by Beccy Dancer.

Edenfall online:

http://www.edenfallband.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/edenfallmusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/edenfallofficial

http://www.reverbnation.com/edenfallmusic

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End Of Green – The Painstream

Posted in Uncategorized with tags Bands and Artists, Doom, End Of Green, Napalm Records, Painstream, Rock Music, The Painstream on 28th August 2013 by Paul

End Of Green
The Painstream
Released16^th August
Depressive Rock
Released via Napalm Records

German rockers End Of Green can be best described as the hard rock Type O Negative. That doesn’t quite tell the full story, but it’s a good start. The band describe their music as depressed subcore, an unholy trinity of doom, gothic and hard rock. This release leans more toward a more accessible rock sound than previous efforts and despite the depressive subject matter; it makes for some pleasant listening. Having been producing albums since ’96, the band has clearly developed some noteworthy talent and experience, which really shows on this album. Each one of these melancholy rockers has a great hook and a simple but effective formula, with occasional splashes of gothic theatricality and black humour.

At 11 tracks, it’s difficult to pick any weak moments, and this is a very strong album. From slow, depressing, droning dirges to more pop orientated, upbeat songs with great hooks, this album has a lot going for it, and the band never wallow in their excesses but manage to sound fresh all the way through. Released just as summer is fading into autumn, this is one of the best examples of all things gothic and gloomy in 2013. A very pleasant listen.

4/5

Paul Gibbins

Leaves’ Eyes reveal artwork for Symphonies Of The Night (valkyrianmusic.com)

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Serpent Omega – Self-Titled

Posted in Review with tags Death Metal, Doom, Doom metal, Entombed, Omega Serpent, Ostinato, Serpent Omega, Sweden, Swedish Doom Metal on 21st May 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Serpent Omega
Self-Titled
Released January 2013
Sludge-Doom Metal
Released via Mordgrimm Records

Formed in 2011, you would be forgiven for wondering exactly why you haven’t heard of Serpent Omega before and what they have to do with the revival of the sludge doom scene. Hailing from Sweden, a country with its roots deep in Black, Death and Doom Metal as well as all things Nordic, Serpent Omega carry the mantle of their musical and historical forefathers with pride and encourage others to worship the riff. It’s surprising that they’re a four piece considering the weight of the riffs and the thick foggy atmosphere produced by their sound and screeching vocals that lend a lot to what has come before, but at the same time is innovative and new.

Serpent Omega’s self-titled LP gives the Sludge Doom genre a breath of fresh air and offers plenty of riffs to bang your head to. The track Konflux is a classic example that resembles early Cathedral with its crunchy guitars and a bass that sounds more like an explosion. The vocals of the front woman Pia are refreshing and range from snarled and choked to ethereal and chant-like within the space of a song.

All elements combined provide an insight back into the bleak early 90’s, but they succeed where many have failed. There is variety in between tracks, and although they maintain that dusty and dirty atmosphere we crave from Doom, there are surprises in the form of blast beats, chanting and lead guitar patterns that any Death Metal guitarist would be proud of.

The production is honest and sounds distant. Pia for instance, sometimes sounds like she’s shouting from the bottom of a well, but that only adds to the crushing atmosphere of the album that gradually intensifies.

The track Smoke Ritual sounds like the bastard child of Entombed’s Wolverine Blues and Cathedral’s Forest of Equilibrium, and is full of riffs worthy of worship, but the sound is fresh and perhaps more accessible than the albums it is obviously influenced by. It certainly has the elements of groovy swinging riffs that Cathedral made their own, but it also has the biting attitude of Entombed and it is a winning combination.

Overall, Serpent Omega will appeal to those that desire to return to the doom scene of the early 90’s and although they will satisfy your sludgy cravings, they offer a modern twist on the genre.

4/5

Alex Cook

Serpent Omega online:

http://www.serpentomega.com/
https://www.facebook.com/serpentomega
http://serpentomega.bandcamp.com/

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Demonic Death Judge – Skygods

Posted in Review with tags demonic death judge, Doom, Entombed (band), eyehategod, Sludge metal, Stoner on 9th October 2012 by tobiasgray

Band: Demonic Death Judge
Album: Skygods
Release date: 5th October 2012
Genre: Stoner/Doom Metal

Down & dirty. If that’s how you like your doom, you’re in the right place! Demonic Death Judge’s fifth release is a metal stoner’s dream. Looping progressions of down tuned, dirty riffage, extended swirling freakouts and a varied vocal performance from despairing screams to wizened clean singing.

Both stoner & doom are definitely ‘headspace’ genres – in so much as you won’t be playing this album in the sunshine, getting psyched up for a night out; but when it’s time to come down, kick back and dim the lights, Skygods brings the tunes you need. Demonic Death Judge have just supported Entombed, and while they are traditionally received by a more death metal based crowd, fans of Entombed could easily get into these eight tracks – especially live, where the wall of noise & powerful grooves are strongest.

If you aren’t feeling sludgy, this album is very much a take it or leave it, but with patience & repeated listens, the subtle beauty & message woven into Skygods is revealed. Fans of Eyehategod, Raging Speedhorn and the like will feel comfortable enough to accept the chant like clean vocals when they manifest, and the jazzy drum breaks interspersed throughout the album offer enough of a ‘different’ flavour to catch the attention of those not listening to this through a haze of smoke.

Finally, the 70’s psychedelia tinged cover is gorgeous, props to the designer, for raising expectations of the music before a note is even played!

4/5

Tobias Gray

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Tombstones – Year Of The Burial

Posted in Review with tags Doom, Stoner, Tombstone on 18th April 2012 by markssonofjorvik

Band: Tombstones

Album: Year Of The Burial

Release Date: 20/04/2012

Genre: Stoner Doom Metal

Label: Soul Seller Records

I never feel more within my element than when I have a stoner doom metal band to listen too. Having listened to the first couple of minutes of ‘Year Of The Burial’ by Norwegian stoner doom filth lords Tombstones I am now feeling right at home, my headphones on and the volume turned up high, surrounded by the fuzz and the static, the tuned low bass and the filth ridden riff-age. Everything feels right with the world in a down trodden kind of way and I realise that I should probably take a deep look within myself because music this mired in gloom, depression and murk should not make me feel good, but it really does! Opening track ‘Unveiling’ is exactly that, an unveiling of Tombstones inner most world, their music laid out and brought forth to wash over you in wave after wave of splendid grime and degradation. It warms the cockles of my heart it really does.

That is enough of my strange perversions though. For an idea of the Tombstone sound think a groovier version of the late great Reverend Bizarre but with their own stamp on things and that should see you into the right ball-park. ‘Year Of The Burial’ is a stone cold solid slab of crushing doom goodness. It pummels, pulverizes and pounds on your ears for what seems like an eternity but in actual fact is simply not long enough. I crave more than six tracks but I know you should not spoil a good thing, and this is a good thing. Oh yes. Steps you need to take to prepare yourself for the Tombstone experience. number one, a warm dark room, preferably with some lit candles to add atmosphere. Step two, relax and get comfortable. Step three, partake in a substance that seems forbidden. Once you have obeyed these three simple rules then press play and enjoy the crushing waves of doom that flow over you, relish in its traditional sound and the deep bass play that makes your hair stand on end and your body tingle. Play it loud, experience its fuzz and it’s thoroughly demonic vibe. Enjoy the darkness and let ‘Year Of The Burial’ fill the void around you.

4.5/5

Luke Hayhurst

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