BESEECH
«... From A Bleeding Heart»
Metal Blade Records
rating: THOUSAND TIMES A MASTERPIECE!
Oh no, why does human language become so poor when someone tries to describe truly outstanding music?! BESEECH are not just outstanding ones, these Swedes pretend to be the kings of worldwide doom / dark metal scene - and they deserve a highest place on highest of the universal thrones! «... From A Bleeding Heart» combines all the best ever invented in the extreme metal genres. Just try to fancy the band which took everything most impressive from such acts as CEMETARY, early THEATRE OF TRAGEDY and ANATHEMA, TIAMAT («Clouds»), CEMETERY OF SCREAM and EDGE OF SANITY, added definite originality and sound of their own + genius distinctive vocals by Jorgen Sjoberg as well as plenty of magnificent soprano often turning into some kind of amazingly tremendous choirs, with addition of keyboards, flute and violins... Damn! I feel I simply HAVE to tell you the following thing: once I considered Dan Swano as very talented, versatile, original singer, but this CD ensured me that I was wrong, because noone, yes - fucking noone!, can’t be compared to Jorgen! No, he’s not an opera singer, but his vocals (growling, hoarse voice and perfect barryton) made me to forget even about such people as Messiah Marcolin... For the first time I listened to this brilliant album two months ago (May 1998), and I can’t stop enjoying it even till now! BESEECH have everything to be considered the best doom metal band now and for eternity... «From A Bleeding Heart» just lacks the shortcomings, at least I couldn’t find any of them. This band represents the perfect ideal every neophyte group should try to reach... Yeah, and the last thing I must tell you consists in rather short and simple statement - ‘BESEECH have nothing to do with any kinds of trends’. 
 
CADAVEROUS CONDITION
«Tryst»
Starry Productions
rating: 4 of 6
This is a bit funny release. This Austrian band (whose members are also involved in BM nazi project called WERWOLF) endeavoured to create something original so as an outcome we have primitive doom / death with strange and unusual, almost «garage» sound (despite that production is satisfactory) with elements of punk and something else that I can’t recognize... If you want to hear quite innovative or at least unordinary CD and you don’t fear certain taste of primitivism, buy «Tryst»...
 
CANDLEMASS
«Dactilis Glomerata»
Music For Nations
rating: 5 of 6
Aarrrghh! CANDLEMASS are back again! It’s rather sad that this band’s reunion was ignored by Messiah Marcolin, and, therefore, all vocals on «Dactilis...» are performed by Bjorn Flodkvist. Of course, his voice is not so impressive as Messiah’s, but being quite pleasant and original it fits the music represented on this album perfectly. Generally speaking, CANDLEMASS AD 1986 - 1992 and CANDLEMASS AD 1998 have nothing in common - no, don’t get me wrong, they still can be easily recognized, but in spite of that «Dactilis...» is very different from f.ex. «Ancient Dreams» or «Chapter IV». It’s much more weird with permanent background keyboards and brilliant guitar passages by... surprise, surprise! - Mike Amott. Good that CANDLEMASS didn’t change their direction the way as ENTOMBED or PYOGENESIS did - this band still plays slow and heavy doom metal, almost avantgarde sometimes, grinding your brains and depraving your mind with such songs as «Dustflow», «Abstract Sun» and «Apathy»... In contrast to plenty of other legendary bands’ reunions, here we behold very successful comeback.
 
CASKET
«Tomorrow»
Serenades Records
rating: PIECE OF SHIT
What these goddamn money can do with a primary good band...! CASKET began their career as promising gothic doom / death group and appeared as one of the best on mighty Serenades Records, while their debut «Emotions...» CD made them one of my favorite German doom metal bands. But with this worthless album these guys seem to embark on the path of PYOGENESIS... Motherfuckers... «Tomorrow» sucks dick with it’s pop rock which is even softer than such bands as f.ex. BON JOVI! FUCK! I’d kill these scumbags if they crossed my way...! All fans of metal music must forget about CASKET as well all metal magazines - now this band will definitely appear in Bravo and Poprocky. What a crap... Serenades Records had no right to release such garbage and therefore I hope that it was their first and last mistake.
 
CEMETERY OF SCREAM
«Deeppression»
Serenades Records
rating: 5 of 6
CEMETERY OF SCREAM certainly is the best Polish doom metal band - this conviction possessed my mind already after their outstanding debut «Melancholy» and now has been proved by it’s follow-up «Deeppression». We had to wait for this album for almost three years so perhaps many people awaited «Deeppression» to be completely different stuff with enormous number of innovations, etc. Well, such people should shut up their mouths and get lost, because CEMETERY OF SCREAM didn’t change their style in radical way as some expected them to do - and I think that’s good. I already have enough with MOONSPELL and CASKET and I don’t need more pop-junk from once worthy and respected bands. The main change regards vocals - CEMETERY OF SCREAM finally invited female person with astounding voice in contrast to that awful howling presented on «Melancholy». Besides, Marcin Kotas varied his vocal parts, now it’s not only traditional growling, but also hoarse voice quite close to it and numerous «clean» passages. Unfortunately, these Polish guys  got rid of those keyboard-intros which forestalled each song on their debut, but I guess that it can’t be called as a shortcoming. All in all, «Deeppression» is very good album and will please every doom metal fan.
 
COY IMPACT
«Interior»
M. O. S. Records Ltd.
rating: 5 of 6
?????? 
You wonder what do these question-marks mean? Well, actually they’re addressed to myself. Because I still can’t understand how this 100% computerized album, lacking e-guitars and any heaviness, could appeal to me so much... Moreover, I can’t stop listening to it until now, especially the first song - «Interior»! I’m talking about Kai Mathias Stalhammar, i.e. me, the one who always rejected so-called «dark-electro-wave-gothic» (here I refer to the COY IMPACT’s infosheet) music!!! Can you explain me such a phenomena? I bet you can’t. Anyway, let’s leave my personal impressions alone and talk about the music represented on «Interior». I think, it can be compared to (very) early SISTERS OF MERCY with their very dark and atmospheric compositions which have nothing to do with any kind of brutality. Marcus (synthesizer / vocals) and Gerryk (backing vocals / e-bass) perform exactly this kind of music. And, certainly, here I have to mark out brilliant keyboard’s parts, always enduring various kinds of metamorphosis, creating inimitable obscure, space atmosphere... Great! Although I still can’t get into one phrase mentioned in the infosheet: «... despite the obviously «black» realization of COY IMPACT, the band statement is, to be neutral». What did they mean by it? At least, I didn’t find any trace of black metal in this project’s creations...
 
CRACK OF DOOM
«Sound Of Anch»
M. O. S. Records Ltd.
rating: 4 of 6
Very pleasant dreamy gothic / dark wave, based on electronics, with male and female vocals and heart-rending guitar harmonies / solos which suddenly appear from nowhere, sounding rather strange (but  ‘strange’ in a good way) among utterly synthetic rhythms... Recommended to all lovers of SANGUIS ET CINIS, DECORYAH and alike bands - i.e. very soft but not commercial, beautiful and soothing music.
 
DARK
«Seduction»
G. U. N. Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
These Germans managed to release their second CD in very short time after «Endless Dreams Of Sadness», brilliant debut effort by DARK. This time they seem to be getting away from death metal-heritage, moving closer to gothic doom (though still brutal) without becoming commercial like that assholes from PYONIGGERESIS. «Seduction» incorporates plenty of keyboards and female vocals, elements which appear as almost necessary for every contemporary band playing doom metal. Although there’s nothing bad, I think. Both were present on DARK’s first album, so we can’t say that they were led by trend. The only thing I can add is that Mathias (guitars, keyboards) also tried himself as vocalist here and his attempts sound very pleasing to my ears. A MUST for all self-respecting doom metal fans.
 
EN GARDE 
«Comedia De l’arte»
Throne Productions 
rating: 5, 5 of 6
One more Greek band (although firstly I confused them with French) and one more great and unordinary album, however it has some bad sides... «Comedia De l’arte» is quite close to gothic rock with it’s smooth and symphonic music based on vocals. There are two singers in EN GARDE - male and female, both have great voices and use them quite skillfully. Listen to «Ah Mio Cor» and you’ll agree with me. Some piano parts and sublime narrations fit «Comedia...» perfectly however arrangements could be better - they are rather primitive and unfinished, you know... Anyway, this is very original album, worthy enough to be checked out immediately after reading this review. 
 
FORGIVE ME NOT
«Tearfall»
Magik Art Ent. / Mortal Dreams 
rating: 10 of 6
What?! Seems like it’s even softer than PARADISE LOST’s «One Second» crap!! But what’s most strange - I like it! «Tearfall» features very pleasant and memorable melodies with small touch of keyboards, impressive male vocals (as well as female voice here and there), i.e. in short FORGIVE ME NOT play commercial gothic rock in the vein of LAKE OF TEARS’ «A Crimson Cosmos». Yes, it’s commercial, but despite that, I consider this band one of the best of a kind in Russia and probably the whole Europe...!
 
GOTHIC SEX
«Laments»
Ausfahrt Records
rating: 3, 5 of 6
Do you think that title says it all, eh? Then wrong you are, because GOTHIC SEX (yeah, definitely good bandname, heh heh) play some kind of atmospheric gothic doom / death metal which can be easily compared to NOX MORTIS, SIRRAH, early CREMATORY and maybe also CEMETERY OF SCREAM. Everything is here to please your melancholic essense - deep male growls and pseudo-«clean» voices supplemented with female vocals, endless seas of sad atmosphere created by synthesizers, etc, etc... I can’t say that I liked it too much, it’s just not my cup of tea, but «Laments» may appeal to YOU, so... decide yourself.
 
GREAT SORROW
«I Hope»
Metal Agen Records
rating: BULLSHIT
Oh, no! So-called «music» represented on this album didn’t just disappoint me due to it’s utter unintelligibility, it spawned the hatred inside of me - hatred geared towards GREAT SORROW. Now this band definitely became «great sorrow», perhaps the greatest sorrow in the whole Russian underground. «Dreams... Solitude, Silence» (1995) appealed to me really well - basically, it didn’t have any shortcomings, but «I Hope» is something absolutely different. First of all, the lyrics suck so fucking bad! How do you like f.ex. the following lines: «Flowing life opposite / The standing death / Going man but around / Lying sands victim cries / But a butchers wall like dump / Burning sun / Has a chance to kill a dark» or songtitles like «Freak Factory», «Robin Paxton And Joe Peacock», «Words My - Life Knife» or «Dancer Mary Jane»?! Just a pure nonsense - nothing more, nothing less!!! And lyrics in Russian only make me laugh at their stupidness... Here we also have new vocalist and keyboardist. As to singer, he’s nothing but a pathetic plagiarist - most of his vocal lines are ripped off Anatoliy Krupnoff (R.I.P.) - this statement goes for everything: timbre, intonations... Sometimes Evgeniy tries to growl... he’d better aware of doing it, since his growling sounds just childish! Keyboard’s parts can’t impress anyone, maybe with an exception for 10 - 12 old kids. As to music in the whole - I just can’t understand the reason of releasing this crap. All the songs on «I Hope» are insufficiently considered and simply unfinished, they strike by futility of their existence. This conglomeration of sounds and incomprehensible «melodies» seem to be composed right after these guys (i.e. GREAT SORROW) awoke from a drunken sleep... 
 
HAGGARD 
«And Thou Shalt Trust The Seer...»
Serenades Records
rating: MASTERPIECE? NO! IT’S FAR, FAR MORE!
This is a genius album. I don’t even know what to say about it, since all my words will sound so helpless comparing to HAGGARD’s brilliant music... Ok, anyway, I’ll try to give a little picture of what is going on this album. First thing which grabs your attention is number of people in HAGGARD’s lineup. This number is 17. Seems like you’re shocked a bit? And what if I’ll tell you that «And Thou...» also features SCHALLELUJA Munchen choir conducted by Ulrich Hermann? Here we can compare these Germans to Swedish Godz THERION, but only when it comes to approach towards music. Both bands do it with top-class and their compositions appear as some kind of 21st century’s symphony, but that’s all. HAGGARD are much more into classical music - basically, «And Thou...» sounds like opera by Orff or Grieg which was never released before due to some unknown reasons. Add some growling vocals as well as electric guitar and you’ll get HAGGARD. But as I already said, my words are too poor to describe this staggering, brilliant, almost perfect album... Stop! Why ‘almost’? It IS perfect album! You know, with the first sounds of this CD, comparison with ANGIZIA came to my mind somehow, but later I realized two things: 1 - these two bands are very different; 2 - despite the greatness of ANGIZIA, HAGGARD rules hard over that Austrian guys... I’ve never heard anything like before... IT’S DEFINITELY A MUST FOR EVERYONE, with exception for the fans of ILDJARN, IMPALED NAZARENE and alike bands as well as other wimps, who foolishly reject Supreme Art and prefer stupid and raw «satanic» noise... 
 
HEAVENWOOD
«Swallow»
Massacre Records
rating: 6 of 6
I hope that you’ve already read a review on FORGIVE ME NOT’s debut? Then you may pass this one, because here we have exactly the same case. HEAVENWOOD also should be reckoned to the style which may be defined as ‘commercial gothic doom metal’, and just like «Tearfall», «Swallow» affected on me in a very good way. I mean that despite the 100% commercial way of doing things, this Portuguese band know how to use their skills skillfully (sorry for the pun) and make the listener to enjoy their music, no matter WHO IS this listener - doom, death, black or heavy metal fan... If he’s an open-minded person, he will like «Swallow», no doubts. The music on this CD is heavily influenced by such bands as PARADISE LOST and SENTENCED, with rather heavy guitar sound (good thing!), very little amount of keyboards (one more good thing!) and session vocals by such people as Kai Hansen and Liv Kristine Espenaes... As to HEAVENWOOD’s singers (Ernesto Guerra and Ricardo Dias)... Their voices seem to be very pleasant - from pseudo-death metal growling through husky vocals to SISTERS OF MERCY-alike clean ones... All the songs on «Swallow» feature very memorable melodies and refrains. Personally I think that we can’t call HEAVENWOOD a doom / gothic band, they’re more heavy metal and I believe that it doesn’t matter if this CD is commercial or not... Tracks like «Rain Of July», «At Once And Forever» and «Downcast» will stay in your memory for a long, long time!
    
HYBERNOID
"Advanced Technology"
Visage Records
rating: 5 of 6
No, don't get me wrong, HYBERNOID didn't return to their roots with
this CD - the reason why I placed review on "Advanced Technology" here is more than simple. I decided to get rid of "other stuff" section in this issue, so I had to 'reckon' HYBERNOID to doom / gothic, especially taking into account the fact that this band's former style was quite close to doom metal; besides, if people consider such acts as MANIPULATION gothic / dark wave ones, so why
can't I call HYBERNOID the same? This promo includes ten tracks of
something that I'd call simply as techno music with small touch of industrial (at least, only last track "Creed", features electric
guitars)... Surprised? Yes, I was surprised too. I didn't hear any
recordings by HYBERNOID except "The Last Day Begins?", so it was a bit hard for me to get into "new" HYBERNOID. And now I'll say something that will surprise you even more. I like this album. Don't
ask me why - such things occur rather often with me. I never liked
(and probably never will like) this sort of music, but HYBERNOID have
something that made me to forget about my hostility in regards to
electronic stuff. Perhaps, the main thing is that these UK's guys are
sincere...? I can't say for sure. But, in spite of afore-said, I urge
you to check out "Advanced Technology"...
 
KALISIA
«Skies»
Adipocere Demo Series
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Thanks to Adipocere Demo Series we already had a chance to get familiar with such outstanding bands FOREST OF SOULS, YOUR SHAPELESS BEAUTY and EROS NECROPSIQUE and now it’s time to praise KALISIA. In contrast to all aforementioned acts, this band have nothing to do with black metal; KALISIA perform technical and atmospheric doom, modern but with touch of 70’s and that’s where it reminds me of GODGORY, although these bands are absolutely different musically and lyrically. I hope to hear new material from KALISIA soon and before it’s out, I’d recommend you to purchase this brilliant MCD. Would you believe me if I’ll tell you that song called «Lost Soul» and instrumental tune «The Mental Frames, Part I» refused to leave my mind for a long, long time? 
 
KATATONIA
«Saw You Drown»
Avantgarde Music
rating: ???
This is a brand new MCD from KATATONIA, however this time limited to 1500 copies. I expected heavy, agonizing and sorrowful doom like the one represented on «Sounds Of Decay» or at least, something in the vein of «Brave Murder Day», but «Saw You Drown» doesn’t feature neither first, not second. Actually, this album utterly shocked me! It brings some sort of ethereal and extremely depressive though lacking any heaviness... gothic rock! (!!!!!!!!!!!!) Well, it’s not the kind of thing I expected from Blackheim... «Saw You Drown» also includes two songs from forthcoming CD «Discouraged Ones» and if material on this one will be the same as these two tracks («Saw You Drown» and «Nerve»), I doubt if I’ll buy new recording from KATATONIA... Don’t get me wrong - it’s great music for gothic rock fan, with pleasant «clean» vocals, dark, dismal and melancholic music, but WHERE THE FUCK IS THAT OLD KATATONIA, ALMOST A BLACK METAL BAND WITH HEAVY, THICK SOUND WHICH I USED TO LIKE PREVIOUSLY???!
 
KATATONIA
«Discouraged Ones»
Avantgarde Music
rating: I would never give any mark to pop band’s CD
Ohh, this one is total crap... Can you imagine last MOONSPELL’s CD, but even more gothic (i.e. pop)-oriented? I bet you can’t... until you’ll listen to «Discouraged Ones». Once I adored Blackheim’s personality and skills, but now... Now he’s nothing but a betrayer of metal music (not only black metal but ALL the true metal genres!). KATATONIA is one more example of what can money do with once great and outstanding band. However, if you’ll remember Blackheim’s words about his musical favorites (e.g. DEPECHE MODE, FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM, etc.), everything sets clear. This was a predictable end. And it’s really sad, because KATATONIA doesn’t exist for me anymore. Fuck you, Blackheim! Perhaps, kids who read such mags as «Bravo» will like your new recording, but don’t even think about the possibility of «Discouraged Ones» being liked by any fan of real metal! 
P. S. I’ll better go and listen to Gary Moore - his stuff is really extreme in comparison to KATATONIA.
P. P. S. By the way, Blackheim (or Anders?) - you changed your logo, removed the pentagram and got rid of those BM handles, so why won’t you change the band’s name? At least, it would be honest in regards to your old fans.
 
LACUNA COIL
«Lacuna Coil»
Century Media
rating: 6 of 6
In my view, Century Media accentuated their attention on two genres now - it’s speed metal and gothic music. Since I still haven’t heard any worthy speed / power metal band signed to them, let’s better talk about LACUNA COIL, whose debut MCD brings us fresh and original mix of soft doom and gothic rock with great female lead vocals and impressive male husky backing vox. Musical accompaniment is top-quality - actually, LACUNA COIL sounds like every gothic metal band should sound alike! Perfect!
 
LITTLE DEAD BERTHA
«In Memorium Premortis»
Hobgoblin Records
rating: 5 of 6
What a stupid name for the band! And what a great music for the band with such an idiotic name! LITTLE DEAD BERTHA don’t offer any innovative, ‘groundbreaking’ ideas - these guys just play what they like, doing it with heart. In the first place, «In Memorium Premortis» captured my attention thanks to it (very good) design and layout (although it’s a usual thing for Hobgoblin Records), and then I could satisfy myself that the music isn’t worse that this album’s cover! LITTLE DEAD BERTHA play slow and emotional doom inspired by English masters of the genre, such as MY DYING BRIDE, early PARADISE LOST, ANATHEMA, etc... And no doubts, I prefer this band over the newest recordings of f.ex. MY DYING BRIDE. I supposed to hear female voices and violins - and I got them. I supposed to hear male growling, sorrowful and brutal in the same time, - and I got it. I supposed to hear keyboards creating fine atmosphere of sadness - and I got them. I supposed to get worthy piece of 100% untrendy, heavy, melancholic and atmospheric doom / death metal at it’s best - and I got it! All I have left to add is that «In Memorium Premortis» is very well recorded album, sometimes musically reminding of Russia’s STONEHENGE and early TIAMAT («The Astral Sleep» times)... Yeah, and take notice of one more thing - there’re no drums here, only drum-machine (which can be met rather seldom among doom metal bands)! Anyway, it sounds exactly like real (‘live’) drums, so... 
 
LOST IN MISERY
«Carousel Of Memories»
Hammerheart Records
rating: 6 of 6
Hammerheart’s bosses look like the ones who certainly have good taste in music. Or how will you explain that 99% of this label’s releases get extremely positive reviews worldwide, including my mag? Musically LOST IN MISERY can be reckoned to so-called «classic doom metal» represented by MEMENTO MORI (b.t.w., don’t miss «Songs For The Apocalypse», fourth album from Messiah’s band!), SOLITUDE AETURNUS and alike groups, but with female vocals. If it was man, I’d compare his vocals with Robert Lowe of SOLITUDE AETURNUS - both, style and voice’s timbre (if we’ll imagine that Esther became a man) are quite close to Robert’s singing style. All in all, I feel that LOST IN MISERY is an adequate replacement for THE GATHERING (if this band will cease to exist) and it’s main rival (while now).
 
MANIPULATION
«Tumor»
M. O. S. Records Ltd.
rating: 1 of 6
Damn it, why do I have to review such crap?! Ok, we have enough well-done albums reviewed in this issue, so I guess now it’s time to write about something less intriguing... MANIPULATION strike as well-known band in Germany among the lovers of soft gothic / industrial music, but personally I don’t care about their status. In my opinion, «Tumor» is pure shit. It doesn’t have any shortcomings when it comes to the quality of performance or production, but I just don’t like such music - cold, senseless, electronic, lacking any emotions with irritating NIRVANA-alike vocals. Fans of DAS ICH (and other bands of that ilk) may like it, though.
 
MENTAL HOME
«Vale»
The End Records
rating: 3 of 6
«Vale» is a second (official) release from MENTAL HOME which was previosly released in shape of casette album, and I fear that this effort (finally released as CD on American The End Records) is a way worse than «Mirrorland». «Vale» appears as very well recorded and performed material, but the songs are too unmemorable and dull, however I can’t deny that MENTAL HOME’s music possess definite originality... «The Southern Calm Waters» looks like the best tune on this CD, it’s more fresh and intriguing with good, non-standard vocals and nice keyboard background... Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about the whole album. It simply didn’t justify my hopes. 
 
MENTAL HOME
«Black Art»
The End Records
rating: 4, 5 of 6
Somewhat strange album’s title for a doom metal band, don’t you think so? Anyway, «Black Art» is much, much better than MENTAL HOME’s previous recording (i.e. «Vale»). First of all, I have to tell you that keyboard parts are almost perfect here in comparison to «Vale», being more complicated and atmospheric, besides that there’re plenty of them on «Black Art», while former CD didn’t feature too much synths. Also, that «black metallish» voice doesn’t seem to prevail here which is a very good thing in my opinion - what’s the sense in using BM voice not being a black metal band? It may cause only discontent of various «true» BM «organizations»...  Lyrics are written in very good English, being quite comprehensible, but in the same time they make me laugh! You see, MENTAL HOME play very calm and soothing music - and how can it go with extreme lyrics geared towards christianity?! Anyway, «Black Art» should appeal to many lovers of romantic, melancholic, emotional and atmospheric doom metal... as well as irritate many others.
 
MOONSPELL
«Sin / Pecado»
Century Media
rating: 3 of 6
After loathsome «Second Skin» I didn’t even want to hear about new MOONSPELL’s CD, but this album suddenly fell into my hands and I couldn’t ignore it. Well, my worst expectations didn’t justify - «Pecado» is much better than «Second Skin», but unfortunately it cannot be even compared to «Wolfheart» and «Irreligious» - I’m not talking about «Under The Moonspell»! Now these Portuguese «superstars» (who basically never were the part of underground) once and for all moved to gothic rock, so you won’t find any trace of black metal on this CD. Some tracks are not bad, for example «Handmade God», «Dekadance», «Eurotica» and «Let The Children Cum To Me...» (good titles, heh) and the whole album leaves not so bad impression, although ‘genius of MOONSPELL’ is left far behind in the past... 
 
NIGHTWISH
«Angels Fall First»
Spinefarm Records
rating: MORE THAN JUST A MASTERPIECE!
Conceive the band playing heavy gothic doom, geniusly arranged with some folk and plenty of symphonic elements and brilliant female vocals, add definite originality and fresh approach towards music in the whole, as well as perfect musicianship and excellent production - and you’ll get NIGHTWISH with it’s excellent, outstanding debut CD... AMORPHIS fails miserably in comparison to this amazing band, so only complete idiot may reject the greatness of NIGHTWISH! Listen to such tremendous tunes as «The Beauty And The Beast» or «Astral Romance» and you’ll understand me...
P. S. By the way, (genius) keyboards on «Angels Fall First» (as well as male vocals) were performed by Tuomas Holopainen, the same guy who plays synths in DARKWOODS MY BETROTHED and NATTVINDENS GRAT!
 
ODES OF ECSTASY
«Embossed Dream In Four Acts»
The End Records
rating: 5 of 6
As far as I remember, writing review on The End Records compilation, I called ODES OF ECSTASY as the worst band on that CD, mostly due to disgusting female voice and dull music, but now, after listening to their debut album, I have to tell you that this band is surely one of the best young doom metal acts in Greece! I don’t know why I disliked them so much formerly and now rate their CD as ‘5 of 6’; at least, I can’t say exactly what kind of metamorphosis was endured by ODES OF ECSTASY... But ok, let’s better talk about the music itself. To conceive what it’s like, you have to fancy NIGHTFALL with plenty of keyboards and orchestral arrangements, add female vocals and you’ll get ODES OF ECSTASY - however, despite aforesaid,  I consider them as quite original band... My only complaint goes for the female singing; this girl definitely possesses nice voice, but damn it, her singing manner is so loathsome...! That’s the reason why the mark is not ‘6’, but only ‘5’... 
 
POETRY
«Catharsis»
Arise Records
rating: 5 of 6
«Catharsis» is the only CD I received from Spain for this issue and this fact disappoints me somehow. But the good thing is that this single CD is better than dozens of mediocre bands with their slapdash worthless efforts. I’m not saying that POETRY is outstanding band or something like that, but it’s definitely above average. You want me to tell you exactly what kind of music is featured on this album? Ok, it’s quite simple. Just imagine ANATHEMA (of «Serenades» times) and you’ll get POETRY. Don’t get me wrong, POETRY isn’t a clone band at all! Their music brings some fresh melancholic, almost harrowing doom metal based on emotions.... Production seems to be top-notch, as well as the music itself. And of course, I can’t finish this review here, without mentioning vocals as the strongest side of POETRY’s music! They’re pretty various, but it doesn’t explain why I decided to mark them out. The reason consists in WAY OF SINGING. You know, when I’m listening to Jaime’s voice, I feel that this guy FELT everything which he was singing about - and this sincerity and expressiveness won my heart... Needless to say that musical accompaniment is beyond any critics.
 
SAVIOUR MACHINE
«Legend, Part II»
Massacre Records
rating: PURE MASTERPIECE!!! 
No doubts that «Legend...» is the best album I ever heard in gothic genre! These guys are convinced christians, hence all the lyrics on this CD are inspired by the New testament, but I just don’t care about this somehow embarassing fact, since the music performed by SAVIOUR MACHINE is definitely a genius one! Just to mention Eric Clayton’s vocals (almost opera-alike!) mixed with solid portion of sombre declamations and female choir appearing in the background sometimes, making your being intolerable... It’s very hard, almost impossible to describe the musical aspect of «Legend...» and - moreover - I think it’s utterly useless. You see, this sort of albums can be met very seldom. They’re praised to the skies while being reviewed but the strangest thing is that the one who reviews them can’t say anything concrete in regards to music and the final statement often sounds like «you have to hear it yourself» or «such music should be listened, not reviewed», etc... Whoever you are, buy this CD now!!! I can assure you that you’ve never heard anything like before. And never will. Genius work.
P. S. If Eric and co. are convinced christians (like I said before), then why does their music sound so dark and obscure???
 
SCULPTURED
«The Spear Of The Lily Is Aureoled»
The End Records / Mad Lion Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
«Progressive doom / death metal» - that’s how The End Records promotes SCULPTURED, and no doubts that they’re right choosing this determination. «The Spear...» lasts for 41 minutes and all of them feature absolutely non-typical music, although I wouldn’t call it too avantgarde. Everything is done in such way that you simply can’t become bored like it often happens while listening to diverse PAN. THY. MONIUM-clones... Personally I think that SCULPTURED are more close to doom metal with their melancholic, mesmerizing and somewhat romantic music. My words seem to be even more right when extremely pleasant «clean» vocals (male ones) appear; the same goes for lyrics - sorrowful and grievous, beautiful in a dark way. And, surely, noone will leave unmentioned amazing trumpet work... As to most exciting tunes here, I’d like to mark out «Almond Beauty», purely a quintessence of all the best SCULPTURED can offer. «Fulfillment In Tragedy For Cello And Flute», utterly sick piece, being strictly atonal, can’t be ignored as well. Excellent CD...
 
SOLAR SPINE
«Solar Spine»
self-released
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Sick stuff, which cannot be easily described. I conceive it as a mix of DOORS, CANDLEMASS and latest GOREFEST - probably that’s most fitting definition. In spite of that SOLAR SPINE play something truly vanguard, I like this album for plenty of innovative ideas it brings, for great vocals and, especially, for amazing organ parts which strongly remind me of Manzarek’s way of playing this instrument... I fear I can’t add anything here, except for one thing - you can’t just pass this album without giving it a listen! SOLAR SPINE create something highly interesting and undoubtedly original (when it comes to contemporary doom / death (?) metal), consequently if you liked last DOMINUS effort, you MUST check out this CD. 
 
SOMBER BLESSINGS
«Legend»
self-released
rating: 4, 5 of 6
This album has as many good sides as many shortcomings. Let’s begin with this CD’s appearance - i.e. coverart, design and layout. While latter ones seem to be quite pleasant for the eye, cover sucks really bad.... It could be nice, if Jasmine (the girl who appears as it’s author) wouldn’t mix and edit the colours in some kind of pre-historic version of Adobe Photoshop. Ok, it’s time to talk about music represented here... «Legend» consists of seven songs carrying rather strange titles for doom / death metal band («By The Light Of A Winter’s Moon», «At The Temple Of Artemis», «Odin’s Ride» - after reading this, I even thought about starting to consider SOMBER BLESSINGS a black metal band...) Most of tunes appear as long ones (at least, «Odin’s Ride» lasts for ten minutes) and quite various musically. This band plays something that I’d define as ‘gothic sympho-dark-doom metal’. «Legend» features really grim and depressive music (maybe with an exception only for the opening track «Shadowlove») incorporating violin, cello, female and «clean» male voices, packed with heavy guitar riffs, brilliant solos, astounding keyboard parts, memorable and sometimes funeral-alike melodies. Musicianship and production are beyond any critics, but unfortunately I can’t say the same in regards to mixing. «Thanks» to slapdash mix music is being drowned by vocals, the thing which irritates me a lot. Besides, I can’t understand who needs six (!!!) vocalists in the band, if this CD features only three types of singing: raw and hateful screaming, female voice (very weak in my opinion) and very nice «clean» vocals. Growling also appears here and there, but very little of it... You know, this thing with vocals / mixing (as well as SOMBER BLESSINGS’ music in the whole) reminds me of Belgian RHYMES OF DESTRUCTION... I believe these bands have much in common. In short - «Legend» is a good, worthy album with interesting music (which also strikes as innovative one - at least, for the US band) and great lyrics. SOMBER BLESSINGS already is a band which deserves (no doubts!) our attention, believe me. Just buy the CD and listen to «Shadowlove», «By The Light Of A Winter’s Moon» and «Odin’s Ride»... maybe you won’t become fan of this band but... when they’ll release second CD, you won’t be able to ignore it, heh heh.
P. S. «Legend» is a self-financed release, so here’re contact addresses: 
Scott Randall / 10 Lakeview Ave. / Danvers MA, 01923
Email: srandall@wesleyan.edu
URL: http://www.ici.net/cust_pages/randall/randall.html
P. P. S. Look for the interview in the next issue...
 
STONEHENGE 
«Tales Of Old Britain»
Hobgoblin Records
rating: 5 of 6
Yeah, this band definitely doesn’t have anything against drastical changes, heh heh... «Tales Of Old Britain» and STONEHENGE’s former album «Victims’ Gallery» are as similar to each other as Michael Jackson to THERION. While their first album was done in the vein of slow, sombre and atmospheric doom / death metal, «Tales...» are devoted to British myths and legends of King Arthur and Knights of the Round-Table lyrically and strike as more gothic / dark wave-influenced with huge number of folk elements musically (I mean f.ex. guitars played as Scottish bagpipes). However, songs on B-side of this tape («Temple Of The Sun» and «Skyway Of Lost Souls») are closer to that old STONEHENGE - melancholic, pensive and despondent, together with «Blood And Glory» appearing as the best tunes here. If you were totally into «Victims’ Gallery», try «Tales...» but be prepared that you won’t get into this stuff at the first time (personally I really liked «Tales Of Old Britain» only after fifth or sixth listen). And those who never heard STONEHENGE before may even like this album more than previous one, I believe...
 
THEATRE OF TRAGEDY
«Aegis»
Massacre Records
rating: -
«Aegis» is a perfect example of regular outstanding band changing their music to pussymetal a-la late PARADISE LOST... That brilliant combination of beauty and brutality, that obscure kind of romanticism is gone now, together with heavy riffs and Raymond’s growling. Now we behold one more ‘gothic’ band, with it’s vapid, tedious, boring, pseudo-romantic music and Liv Kristine’s dull loathsome voice (some fools compare her to Kari Rueslatten - ha! These girls’ voices have nothing in common; personally I consider Kari a great singer, and Liv Kristine an absolutely untalented one)... Awful. I fell asleep somewhere in the middle of the sixth song, therefore «Aegis» seem to have only one advantage - it works great as a soporific draught. 
 
THERION 
«Vovin»
Nuclear Blast Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
As far as I remember, reviewing THERION’s previous CD, «A’arab Zaraq Lucid Dreaming» in the first issue of my mag, I said something like «this band reached the peak in it’s musical development and future looks quite gloomy for them», right? Well, my worst expectations fortunately didn’t justify - «Vovin» doesn’t suck. Moreover, it’s very interesting and impressive album, but... «Theli» was better anyway. To give you a hint about the music, I’ll recommend you to recall «The Golden Ring» soundtrack featured on «A’arab Zaraq...» Got it? Yes, «Vovin» represents pure dark symphony, but with electric guitars. Piotr left the band (or was kicked out??), so this album doesn’t include his vocals - as well as Christopher’s voice. Ralf Sheepers (ex-GAMMA RAY vocalist!) and Marina Hornbacher are the only ones who sing on «Vovin», and I think it was a right move. Their operatic voices fit contemporary THERION’s music much better than Christopher’s screaming. This review comes to an end and I have two more things (rather weird) left to say - first, there’re no ‘live’ drums here, only programmed drumset. Second, guitars on «Vovin» are played by... Waldemar Sorychta and Siegfried (or just Siggi) Bemm. How do you like it? Anyway, these guys - infamous thanks to sound-engineering - turned out as very skillful musicians. And again I have to say - I really liked «Vovin», but what’s further? «Carmina Burana, pt. II»...???
 
VASARIA
«Vasaria»
Century Media
rating: 5 of 6
Hmmm, from hardcore to gothic version of CRADLE OF FILTH? Strange metamorphosis, don’t you think so? Ok, nevermind - I can ignore this since VASARIA play music which is far above average in my opinion. It’s gothic metal with dark image and lyrics mainly devoted to vampirism, with heavy guitar sound and excellent «clean» male vocals. Atmosphere is also dark, due to impressive keyboard passages performed by Mathias Lodmalm (!). This fact is really worth attention, because VASARIA comes from... USA. Anyway, this CD undoubtedly should be obtained by you if you are into stuff like MOONSPELL’s «Wolfheart» and such... Yeah, and «Raven Sky» tune simply is a KILLER! Buy it!