ORPHANED LAND
«El Norra Alila»
Holy Records
rating: 3 of 6
The first time I put this disc
on I kind of passed it off as ethnic laced crap. Since then, I've
listened to «El Norra Alila» a few more times, and while I won't pretend
that it's the best thing I've heard this year, it is in fact growing on
me. Best described as death, goth, and progressive mixed with traditional
Middle Eastern and Oriental music. The incorporation of the latter
elements is what sets Orphaned Land ahead of the competition in terms of
originality. As usual, albums of this adventurous nature take time
to really sink into the listener. (Dallas Elmhurst)
CELESTIAL SEASON
«Orange»
Big Bloke Records
rating: 6 of 6
Both, «Forever Scarlet Passion»
and «Solar Lovers» were the sort of albums I enjoyed very much, therefore
the fact that I was itching to hear new creations from CELESTIAL SEASON
is quite natural, I believe... And now I’ve got it. Well, what can I say?
«Orange» has nothing to do with this band’s previous direction - no more
violins, no more growls, no more romanticism... CATHEDRAL and... surprisingly
METALLICA (!) strike as the new musical inspirations of these Dutch guys
(by the way, there’s only Jason left of the original lineup). With the
new singer (who also does all the drumming work) Cyril (whose voice almost
can’t be distinguished from Hetfield’s) and guitar sound, heavily reminding
me of «Hopkins - The Witchfinder General» and second DOMINUS CD, CELESTIAL
SEASON look like reincarnation of ‘70s bands... Delirious song-titles like
«Salamandra», «One-Eye Generator», «Diabolo Cruiser XL» or «Diesel Reptile»
only crown the whole picture. «What a crap!» - that’s what I thought after
giving a listen to first four songs... But after fifth, sixth, seventh...
my opinion of «Orange» became much better and when the fourteenth track
(also the last one) was over I cried out «GREAT!» Together with IN THE
WOODS’ «Omnio», «Orange» belongs to the kind of albums, which appeal to
you only after second or third listen. You won’t get into it earlier. Yes,
CELESTIAL SEASON changed their music drastically, but... attentive persons
could notice this tendency already on «Solar Lovers». Simply recall «Holy
Snake»... Got me? Ok, it’s not a stuff for everyone, but «Orange» is still
very good CD. Try it. (Herr Stalhammar)
WAITING FOR GOD
«Quarter Inch Thick»
Re-Constriction Records
I'm extremely impressed by this
Canadian act. WAITING FOR GOD compose some wonderful and exciting industrial
/ metal music with beautiful ethereal female vocals, adding a gothic touch.
The entire disc is pretty aggressive with a heavy guitar sound and pounding
electronic sequences. WAITING FOR GOD will surely make a good impression
on the scene and should definetly be picked up! This is the best
industrial I've witnessed in a while... I can't take it out of my CD player!
The disc includes four re-mixes of «2 Extremes» + others (including remixes
by CHRIST ANALOGUE and COLLIDE), all of which are very diverse -
this CD will not bore you! (Mark Riddick)
WHILE HEAVEN WEPT
«Lovesongs Of The Forsaken»
Sinistrari Records
This is the debut MCD release from
perhaps one of the greatest doom efforts ever to arrive from the US scene.
This three track opus features a supreme production and performance, displaying
fine musicianship and expertise. A fine mixture of melancholy fused
with classical sound structures (in acoustic manner), droning percussives,
depressive voice, and spectucular synth work. WHILE HEAVEN WEPT conjure
a deep atmosphere of sadness and lament matched by no other in the scene.
This is a certain band to look for in the future as they have already begun
to make a powerful presence in the doom / atmospheric scene. I highly
anticipate their full length on Sinistrari. (Mike Riddick)
PERKELE
"Erotic Circus"
Hammerheart Records
rating: 4 of 6
Quite surprising solo-effort from
MORNINGSTAR's main dude. I expected it to be a black metal like his main
band, but "Erotic Circus" turned out as album, featuring pure gothic rock
with vocals, heavily reminding me of THE CURE's Robert Smith! Well, what
to say about this? PERKELE play quite interesting music, but it's a bit
monotonous and primitive so more diversity is necessary! All songs here
are equal, with an exception for the last one "The Parting" which appears
as very interesting and worthy instrumental tune. It's up to you - to buy
it or not, but I will better wait till next PERKELE's CD. (Herr Stalhammar)
P.S. Cover artwork SUCKS!
WISH
«Monochrome»
Moonlight Records
Moonlight Records arrives with
yet another avant-garde production, this time coming from the Netherlandish
act WISH. This band has a very 'smooth' feel to their music... quite
flowing in a doomy fashion. We have quality synth work likened with
programmed sounding percussives, lightless guitars, and gothic rock inspired
male and female voices. These all work well together to give WISH
a rather pleasing sound I think. I think fans of doom metal shall
appreciate this release very much, as it offers a unique combination
between ambient-industrial and superb doom metal. This release is
also accompanied by a magnificent blue monchromed layout (hence the album
title?). This band is definitely worthy of some recognition, a great
achievement in my opinion. (Mike Riddick)
LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE
«La Naissance D'un Reve»
Witchhunt Records
This is a rather amazing album
released by the offices of Switzerlands' Witchhunt Records. This
label seems to pick up some of the greatest atmospheric, experimental,
and avant-garde musical acts, and LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE is no exception to
that rule. This German outfit carries the listener through a blissful
state incorporating melancholy and pain into one driving force. The
use of spoken and growled male voice in congruence with superb and operatic
female voices is absoloutely enchanting and mystifying. The other commonplace
'metal' instruments work to build the same atmosphere into a very emotional
album. I recommend this to any fan of dark and depressive music.
(Mike Riddick)
STONEHENGE
«Victims Gallery»
Metal Agen Records
rating: 6 of 6
«Victims Gallery» was already released
as a demo tape before, although I couldn’t give it a listen, so this CD
appears a first effort from STONEHENGE I’m familiar with... It consists
of six really long songs + intro and outro of highly impressive music,
best classified as dark and atmospheric doom metal with top-notch production,
deep growling vokills, thick and heavy guitar sound, amazingly performed
solos and weird keyboards. I wouldn’t say that I consider STONEHENGE as
an original band, however these guys definitely have their own face (read
- sound and approach to music), which advantageously distinguishes them
from the crowd of ANATHEMA and CATHEDRAL copycats... Right after you’ll
see CD (or cassette) with mystical and astounding cover / layout design
and STONEHENGE title - get your hands on it immediately!
P.S. STONEHENGE recently recorded
brand new demo, entitled «Tales Of Old Britain» and right now prepare themselves
for release of second full-length album under the same name. It would be
even more atmospheric with plenty of folk elements and lyrics, set on ancient
British legends... (Herr Stalhammar)
Contact: c/o Sergey, CDM, P.O.
Box 223, Moscow, 121019, Russia.
Band’s e-mail: serge@stonehenge.wm.ru
SUP
«Room Seven»
Holy Records
rating: 3, 5 of 6
Quite surprising release from Holy
Records, which I consider as their first (and hopefully last) mistake,
although «Room Seven» is not bad. This CD brings us twelve tracks of something,
which should be called as a cross between gothic doom and alternative music
so SUP’s creations sound like ALICE IN CHAINS and early ANATHEMA... This
is how now-worthless PYOGENESIS might sound if they didn’t change their
style into pop / post-punk gay «music»... This CD sounds like it wants
to say: «Hey, listen to me - I feature original music, or at least try
to do it!» and there’s some portion of truth in these words, however comparing
to other bands on Holy, like SEPTIC FLESH, MISANTHROPE, YEARNING, LEGENDA,
ON THORNS I LAY, NIGHTFALL, ELEND, STILLE VOLK, etc., it’s much, much worse...
Perhaps, if these guys (unfortunately I don’t know their origin) would
make their music more diverse and less boring, add more deathish and remove
some clean vocals (somehow reminding me of Italian KONFETTURA singer’s
voice)... maybe then SUP will be a kind of band I like and respect, but
now... (Herr Stalhammar)
IMPRECATION
«Theurgia Goetia Summa»
Repulse Records
This CD really does nothing for
me. It is very dark and forebodding, but the music just leaves me
bored. There are no memorable riffs or excitement here, and as a
whole it just leaves me uninspired. Of course, most doomy bands leave
me piss bored, so fans of the genre may want to give it a chance.
I'll pass. (Andy Harris)
GODS TOWER
«The Turns»
Metal Agen Records
rating: 4 of 6
I could never really understand
the reasons why this certainly average Belorussian band contrive to get
excellent reviews all over the world... They’re even considered as «gods»
in their homeland... Well, I don’t know what about you, but my opinion
consists in the following: GODS TOWER play nice music, neither very good,
nor very bad, with definite originality but it sounds too soulless and
insincere, boring and absolutely uninteresting in my ears... «The Turns»
is much better than their former releases, but... it’s simply not my stuff.
(Herr Stalhammar)
GODS TOWER
«The Eerie»
Metal Agen Records
rating: 3 of 6
«The Eerie» was the very first
tape released under ‘GODS TOWER’ name - not it’s re-recorded in professional
studio and released through Metal Agen Records. Actually, I said everything
I had to in the previous review. It’s quite natural that «The Eerie» is
worse than «The Turns», and it’s also quite natural that I didn’t like
this «pagan gothic doom» at all. There’re much better doom metal bands
in Belorussia. (Herr Stalhammar)
DARK REALITY
«Oh Precious Haze Pervade The Pain»
Witchhunt Records
rating: 6 of 6
This is by far one of Witchhunt's
greatest releases (next to XERXES!). Do not let the name of this
band trick you into thinking they are some generic black metal band, far
from it! This is a very original group of musicians hailing from
Germany, composing art metal in a gothic / boroque vein! I think
this matches up to Austria's ANGIZIA in terms of quality and virtue, as
this jewel is surely to be another best LP for 1997! Here we have
a variety of medieval and folk sounds (very reminiscent of old documentary
reel films, classical music, and 70s progressive)! Mix this with
occasional metal melodies and structures combined beneath sung vocal passages
in an operatic / gothic manner (and other varities as well). Even
the cover artwork is reminiscent of a re-issued/liscensed classical CD
from great composers like (Mozart, Vivaldi, et al). I think this
band has a very promising future ahead of them, as they open new facets
in the metal genre, yet unexplored... thus opening a gateway to future
musical creativity and integrity. This is a must for any fan desiring
to heighten their fine musical archives! (Mike Riddick)
DARKSIDE
«Melancholia Of A Dying World»
Conquest Music
I've gotta admit that this debut
CD from Austria's DARKSIDE doesn't really do a whole lot for me.
It's not that their death / doom / gothic approach isn't convincing, it's
just that the gutteral vocals seem to be out of place with the music, although
there are some pretty cool guitar leads at times. May appeal to those
into the death / goth sound currently sweeping across Europe. (Dallas Elmhurst)
NIGHTFALL
"Lesbian Show"
Holy Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
One more excellent release from
one of my favorite labels. I don't think that there's a need to describe
NIGHTFALL's music - all those, who are totally into doom / gothic music
are already familiar with this talented band, leaded by Efthimis
Karadimas. One thing I cay say is that "Lesbian Show" didn't disappoint
me at all like it often happens nowadays. In fact, this album is even better
then "Athenian Echoes", their previous release! A MUST. (Herr Stalhammar)
DAWN OF DREAMS
«Amber»
Candlelight Records
rating: 5 of 6
Though my first impressions of
the cover artwork made me wonder how this band sound, I do not think it
hindered a great deal on my overall perspective of it (e.g., the cover
was a turn off due to lack of atmosphere and some odd sort of dpi print
out). DAWN OF DREAMS play very doom laden metal that should strike the
interest of any fan pertaining to this genre. The use of spoken, growled,
and harmonized vocals coupled with keyboards, slow paced riffs, etc...
provides your usual doom-laden atmosphere necessary for instilling deep
thoughts of depression and thoughts of melancholic suffering. I can't
say it is spectacularly original material, though there are many interesting
structures that catch your emotions on occasion, hence being worthy of
interest and of satisfaction. An overall decent, though somewhat
average release. (Mike Riddick)
ANATHEMA
«Eternity»
Fierce Recordings / Mayhem Records
rating: 6 of 6
From Great Britain, where the doom
scene has remained very strong for the past years comes forth «Eternity».
ANATHEMA have never been one of my favorites but I think I appreciate them
more now than I ever had before. «Eternity» takes a turn towards the gothic
scene. This new direction is made possible by the vocals and the
melodic doom riffs and keyboard passages that are commonplace for ANATHEMA.
The entire album as a whole is very moving in a spiritual and solitairy
way. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is something interesting
about this release. I think all ANATHEMA fans will appreciate their effort.
(Mark Riddick)
SENTENCED
«Down»
Century Media
rating: 5 of 6
This is a very hard release to
judge, as it is completely void of all underground qualities of which I
am attracted to. The production is clear as hell, and the packaging
and layout is professional. I find it amazing that a member could
be from IMPALED NAZARENE, regardless, SENTENCED manage to write some good
songs which are memorable, and yet still in some minor way, manage to keep
an element of obscurity. The darkest thing about this LP are the
lyrics, which deal with depression and suicide. Very commercial,
but worth a listen. (Andy Harris)
ON THORNS I LAY
"Orama"
Holy Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
And once again I have to praise
Holy Records for another magnificent CD. It's rather strange to see label
releasing ONLY top-quality albums nowadays without a single failure! But
as you know
exception proves the rule,
so in the end it strikes as nothing spectacular. ON THORNS I LAY made their
debut in 1995 with "Sounds Of Beautiful Experience" CD, the one
which I liked very much, despite that it was very much alike SEPTIC
FLESH creations. "Orama" is a second output from these Greeks and it's
similar while in the same time different stuff, comparing to their first
album. Now there're two new people in the band (Roula and Stefanos)
and when it comes to vocalist I wouldn't say that replacing the previos
one was a right decision. Now BM shrieks and splendid "clean" vocals are
gone and this fact doesn't make ON THORNS I LAY's music better.
Yes, they incorporated female singing in their sound but unfortunately
this girl can't replace Steven, who sang in this band before her. Ok, let's
live this shortcoming up to them. As to music, it's basically in
the same vein as on their first CD. Fast and slow, romantic and beautiful
with inexpressible atmosphere of Ancient Greece... Very good album, but
not a Masterpiece, unlike "Sounds..." (Herr Stalhammar)
REGRESSUS AD INFINITUM
«Empty Illusions»
Metal Agen Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Excellent debut output from best
Moscow doom metal band out now on Metal Agen (heil, Evgeniy!) Some
of my pals compare them to German CREMATORY, although I disagree with such
a comparison. REGRESSUS AD INFINITUM maybe sounded a bit like those
Germans on their former tapes, but now they definitely found their
own style. "Empty Illusions" features well recorded and masterly performed
material, representing emotional sad atmospheric doom metal with keyboards
and good vocals (both - male and female). This album doesn't bring
anything new into this style, however does it mean that it should
be of no interest due to this fact? Especially taking into consideration
that REGRESSUS AD INFINITUM managed to capture their own sound and
style which I think is very important nowadays, when most of doom bands
appear as absolutely faceless acts, rip-offing "crowd favorites" like LAKE
OF TEARS or PARADISE LOST... Seems like I said everything I wanted to.
Buy this stuff now, or be pathetic. (Herr Stalhammar)
REGRESSUS AD INFINITUM
«Out Of Nowhere»
Hobgoblin Records
rating: 4 of 6
"Out Of Nowhere" appears as a sort
of compilation which contains old tracks by REGRESSUS AD INFINITUM, including
their first official demo "Your Last Desire" with Oleg Nechahev (R.I.P.)
on vocals. This album is of interest for those, who've already heard
this band before. As to people, who are still unfamiliar with R.
A. I. - better try out "Empty Illusions". If you'll like the album,
reviewed above, you'll get into this one also. If not... (Herr Stalhammar)
DECEPTIVE
«Heart Sweeted Lie»
Hobgoblin Records
rating: 4 of 6
One more re-release from Hobgoblin
Records... I fear that I liked their debut (official) album more, although
«Heart Sweeted Lie» is not bad also. It perfectly illustrates that DECEPTIVE
is progressing band, which becomes only better with time. Those, who already
own their first effort can buy this one, and the ones, who still don’t
know what DECEPTIVE is all about - better try their 1996’s album first.
I can’t say a lot in regards to this band’s music... It’s definitely doom
metal, performed in a traditional way (PARADISE LOST’s «Gothic» is the
main influence again). «Heart Sweeted Lie» is romantic, heavy stuff with
certain kind of atmosphere, however production could be better... Anyway,
I hope that they won’t make us wait for their second CD for centuries...
(Herr Stalhammar)
SLEEPING GODS
«Regenerated»
AFM Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
"Regenerated" is an album, produced
by infamous Andy Classen, and it seems that we can consider his musical
taste as splendid! Together with DISBELIEF (whose self-titled debut CD
was also produced by Andy) this band looks like one of the best young doom
/ gothic acts in the whole Germany. Their first album "Above And Beyond"
didn't impress me too much, but now things changed and "Regenerated" is
one of my doom favorites this year! Music performed on this CD is mid-tempo,
sad and romantic, yet obscure doom / death with nice male growls
and excellent female echo voices. Some non-typical instruments were used
on this recording (f.ex. didjeridoo) as well as Andy's participation on
bass guitar. It's very difficult to describe this type of music, so better
listen to it yourselves and decide if you agree with my opinion
that SLEEPING GODS is sort of a band, which is worth checking out... (Herr
Stalhammar)
ORA PRO NOBIS
«Dedication»
Metal Agen Records
rating: 6 of 6
"Dedication" turned out as something
completely different from what I've expected to hear from this band,
based in St. Petersburg. Their first (and last?) demo featured three extremely
long songs (up to
fourteen minutes!) with plenty
of violin parts and thick, heavy sound bringing back to memory MY DYING
BRIDE's "Turn Loose The Swans" (truly a swansong for this band!). But now
their style is something utterly different. You know, we could compare
them to ANCIENT - I'm talking not about the music of aforementioned
band, but the similar radical change in musical direction and sound.
And in my view both bands made a wise step, because their music only gained
by it. Now ORA PRO NOBIS call themselves as "progressive doom metal band",
a definition, which is not quite appropriate. These guys are more
close to traditional heavy metal now, with addition
of ethereal keyboards and heavenly
female voice, while main vocals, melodic and hoarsy, surprisingly remind
me of Anatoliy Krupnov's (R.I.P.) singing! All lyrics are in Russian, written
in dark and poetic way, which I find as an interesting experiment in contrast
to many people, who suggest ORA PRO NOBIS' vocalist to sing in English,
because "all others do that..." What a stupidity! If a band comes
from Russia, they have a right to sing in their own language! Why the whole
world listens to Norwegian black metal without considering the fact that
there's no trace of English in their lyrics??! Ok, let's leave such wimps
with their empty brains. Back to the music... aha, it seems like I told
you everything I wanted already! So don't hesitate and run to the
nearest music store in order to purchase this brilliant album! (Herr Stalhammar)
SOULSEARCH
«Gwynedd»
Serenades Records
rating: 6 of 6
Oohh, there're no proper words
to describe what these Austrians are doing on their debut effort! First,
I considered them to be a doom band, but later I discovered a lot of black,
death metal and dark wave elements, so... I don't know really. I wouldn't
say that "Gwynedd" is a vanguard album, but it's very close to such
a definition! It's impossible to describe SOULSEARCH' music and ususually
critics try to avoid it saying something like: "You need to hear
it to decide yourself..." and I'm not an exception. Buy this CD and like
all bands on mighty Serenades Records (hail!), SOULSEARCH won't disappoint
you! (Herr Stalhammar)
CEMETARY
«Last Confessions»
Black Mark Production
rating: 5 of 6
How fitting that the swan song
for this band is probably one of their best albums. Coming in at a tight
28 minutes «Last Confessions» is easily the most gothic and melodic release
this band has put out and a far cry from their death metal beginnings with
«An Evil Shade Of Gray». Singer Matthias Lodmalm even uses effects on his
voice for the first track «Forever» coming off very TYPE O NEGATIVE sounding.
The songs are a lot simpler as well not as high in tempo as earlier releases,
with less riffs and more emphasis rhythm with the bass playing a bigger
role. (Alex Ristic)