Doom Metal

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    Ufomammut – ORO: Opus After (2012)

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    Cranking out their second release of 2012 through Neurot Recordings, Italy’s incomparable Ufomammut delivers another devastating five tracks of pure Psychedelic Doom destruction unlike any other band can produce. The band continues on their ORO trilogy with this second album titled “Opus After”, and from the looks of it, it will be another killer concept trilogy indeed. We quite enjoyed their first ORO release titled “Opus Primum” and this one just keeps getting better.

    Opening with the very funky “Oroborus”, the band nicely sets a 60’s/70’s mood with psychedelic guitars before switching into more distorted Doom riffs. The track nicely progresses and works as a perfect lead-up to “Luxon”, the album’s first undisputed single. In this track we are treated to a more Ufomammut signature Doom with pounding riffs and disgruntled vocals. The weird atmospheric hints are dead on in creating an odd ambiance that nicely fits the band’s very dark and crushing sound. This track also reminded us of Year of No Light and their excellent “Ausserwelt”.

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    Taurus – Life (2012)

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    Running the birthday of one of our staff members, the Psychedelic Doom duo of Taurus has chosen July 5th to release their very weird and not quite cohesive debut release. “Life” presents us with two tracks that spawn 35 minutes into a downward spiral trip into total chaotic weirdness. Just picture two people getting high out of their mind and banging at some instruments trying to play Doom Metal, once you have that idea in your head, make it a bit worse and you have “Life”.

    We are huge fans of experimental music and there are quite a few bands that are pushing the boundaries of Doom Metal (one of our favorite styles of Metal), but Taurus seems to set that back like 10 years with their childish and amateurish release. We are quite frankly shocked that they managed to tour with Agalloch, maybe they have some super awesome live show, because musically we can’t really hear why.

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    Arbor – The Plutonian Shore (2012)

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    With a very interesting musical proposal today we have Wisconsin’s Arbor and their debut release “The Plutonian Shore”. In the ten tracks presented in this first effort, the band mixes folk elements with Doom and Post-Metal sections in a very unusual and sometimes weird sounding fashion, but it all comes together in a very exciting way giving them a very fresh and unique sound.

    Setting a very ethereal and folk-ish mood with opener track, the band quickly comes back with very aggressive vocals and a Doom-vibe on “Trees”. The music is very well crafted to not give things away too quickly and build momentum, allowing the atmosphere and expectation to grow with every note. The band’s clean vocals are definitely an ‘acquired’ taste and for sure need some work, but they are used to perfection to contrast the harsh screams and the rest of the more ‘growly’ vocals.

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    Kyzyl Kum – Sable Rouge (2012)

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    Balsting their way to the USA with eight tracks of instrumental Doom/Stoner Metal, today we have France’s Kyzyl Kum and their debut release “Sable Rouge”. Featuring a high-dosage of crushing riffing and tight drumming, this debut release showcases the abilities of this two-man destructive machine in the vein of Black Cobra, Bison, Kylesa and Bongzilla.

    Clocking in around 40 minutes, this release gets going with the atmospheric intro “Kosmiska Superskunk” and fully kicks into gear with the super catchy “Cause des smicards sur du funk”. The band has a little Southern twang in their sound, and this track clearly shows that groovy side of things. The guitars keep assault the listener with “Because Death of Icare Sucks”, a track that has a very raw nature to it, but still sounds crisp enough to fully enjoy the waves of distortion coming at you.

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    Ahab – The Giant (2012)

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    The nautical Funeral Doom Metalheads are back with another deep sea exploration titled “The Giant”. Ahab and their self-branded ‘nautik’ Funeral Doom Metal have released two previous releases and with this latest one they seem to be achieving total domination of the oceans when it comes to Doom Metal. With six soul crushing tracks clocking around 60 minutes, this is one hell of a ride through the seas with tuned down guitars and very moody sections, just like the doctor ordered.

    Opening with a jazzy and very well paced intro, “Further South” nicely sets the mood for a very mellow release. There is no need for real ‘traditional’ Doom riffs until the second half of this eight minute track begins, and we totally love it. The clean vocals are outstanding and they nicely contrast the deep growls. The monolithic “Aeons Elapse” nicely builds up with heavy riffs and very well crafted drums. This track is one of those rollercoaster rides with plenty of chug-and-go sections. The clean vocals again provide a very regal sound to the band’s music.

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    Candlemass – Psalms for the Dead (2012)

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    The legendary Candlemass is back with what they say it will be their last album… ever. “Psalms for the Dead” marks the band’s 11th studio full-length release and closes the chapter on the band’s very influential career. Having influenced tons of bands over the years, it is quite sad to hear that Candlemass is going away, but at least they do so with an impressive and monumental release, instead of a pathetic sad little album or even worst… a best-of compilation release.

    Opening with the crushing riffs of “Prophet”, the band delivers a powerful and firm first track that sets the mood for the whole release. The epic keyboards and excellent vocal melodies nicely make this song very catchy and dynamic, but ultimately it’s the riffing that sells the track. The very interesting atmospheric elements make their way into “The Sound of Dying Demons”, giving this track a very eerie and creepy feeling, and when paired with the cavernous riffs, it is plain brilliant.

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    Process of Guilt – FÆMIN (2012)

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    Hailing from Portugal today we have another entry into the Sludge/Doom Metal category with Process of Guilt and their latest opus “FÆMIN”. Featuring a few ex-members of Doomsters Before The Rain, we thought this band will move past the traditional Sludge/Doom approach, but they just manage to replicate what bands like Year of No Light, Bison B.C, etc. achieve with their heavy distorted guitars and mid-tempo spurts of anger.

    “Empire” starts with some nice feedback and then it goes into the endless repetitive loop of riffing and drums that most Sludge bands opt for, but the band never seems to really get out of this funk. While we understand the genre dictates for something like this, we can’t really see any value or different between the previously mentioned bands. “Blindfold” is a bit faster paced, but it also quickly drowns in repetitiveness and dulls the listener into submission. The band wrote 5-6 riffs and they just stick to them for the duration of this release.

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    Essenz – Mundus Numen (2012)

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    Making its way from Germany, today we have Essenz’s latest full-length released titled “Mundus Numen”. With a very healthy mix of traditional Doom Metal with some Black Metal and Sludge hints, this release takes you down to the bowels of hell and back with a very powerful and dark sound. For six tracks, “Mundus Numen” showcases the band’s tuned low guitars and raw power when it comes to speed things up.

    “Extinguish Shapes - Innermediate” opens this release with very powerful Sludgy riffs that nicely morph back and forth to painful Doom sections. The atmospheric elements make this track even more dense thanks to their unconventional nature, and the female vocals add a very nice extra touch. Before we know it, “Sea of Light – Pleroma” explodes in our face with some furious Black Metal in the vein of bands like Watain and Horna. The switch from Doom to BM is pretty rapid and very well engineered to deliver a powerful blow. This track again drones back between furious BM riffs and some deeper slower passages.

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
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    Llvme – Yia De Nuesu (2012)

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    With a very lush and elaborate sound, today we have Llvme and their second full-length release “Yia De Nuesu”. Mixing elements from Doom, Folk, and Black/Death Metal, this band has a very rich and entertaining sound that will blow you away with excellent melancholic passages and sheer brutality moments.

    Opening with the majestic “1188-1230” track, this release immediately establishes a melancholic atmosphere full of aggression and emotions. The female vocals and violins in this track are excellent and nicely contrast the heavy elements of the track. “Helmantica” brings forth a more aggressive stance from the band and some very Dimmu Borgir-esque keyboards. The riffing is very well crafted and the drums are stellar. “Vettonia” has that same Folk Metal vibe that bands like Eluveitie exploit to no end (the bagpipes), but it somewhat feels different with some nice stop-and-go moments and the direct Amorphis ‘rip-off’ section at the end of the track.

    • Posted By: Dark Emperor
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    Ides of Gemini – Constantinople (2012)

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    While we wait for ages for Jex Thoth to finally record a new album, now we have a suitable complement to her particular brand of Psychedelic Doom Metal that we all crave: Ides of Gemini and their latest release “Constantinople”. Out in late May 2012 via Neurot Recordings, “Constantinople” is a very dark release that will haunt your dreams with the mysterious vocals of Sera Timms and Kelly Johnston.

    At a first glance, the opening of this release with “The Vessel & The Stake” gives you a Cascadian Black Metal impression, but this is nicely shaped into a minimalist droning Doom Metal sound that will hook you immediately. The simplicity of the music and the reverb on the guitars is just enough to provide a dark atmosphere that surrounds Sera and Kelly’s vocals. The similarities to Jex Thoth are undeniable, but Ides of Gemini keeps things more simple and tight.

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