AGHORA
⌠Aghora■
code666 Productions
rating: 5 of 6
Could you ever imagine ATHEIST with female vocals? Even if not, now you have such a chance with US-based AGHORA. Featuring such individuals as Sean Malone and Sean Reinert (who had previously participated in CYNIC, DEATH and GORDIAN KNOT), as well as Santiago Dobles (unbelievably talented guitarist, who▓s also responsible for programming), his sister Darushta who possesses a classically trained mezzo-soprano, and finally yet one more guy on guitars, Charlie Ekendahl; AGHORA deliver undoubtedly astounding musical canvas, innovative and simultaneously incredibly exciting. With each note, with each chord, making you to enter the realm of Eastern history and religious matters, further guiding you on the path you▓ve embarked on. Was it a voluntary move or not? Who knows. I only know that AGHORA is a kind of DREAM THEATER in death black √ in the finest sense of this assertion. They ARE progressive, but not that progressive to make you bored or anything like that. But hey, wait! Why am I reviewing this CD in ⌠doom / gothic / dark wave■ section? Because of the female voice which has been incorporated instead of male growling?? Oh gods, help me to find a solution and properly define AGHORA▓s style. However┘ should I? Anyway, generally speaking this CD strikes as the best one Italy▓s code666 had released so far, although it has a certain sort of drawback. Not really a drawback, but┘ Danishta sings too monotonously, reaching one single note and refusing to leave it as well as a certain register. And that▓s why I couldn▓t give ⌠Aghora■ highest mark. But still √ a hell of an album, indeed. (Herr Stalhammar)

ATROX
⌠Contentum■
Season Of Mist Productions
rating: -
Looks like Season Of Mist signed enormous number of bands from all over the world, and what▓s most surprising, none of them is worthless. ATROX┘ Once there was a Norway▓s band and sorrowful yet dreamy gothic doom / death metal was what they played. ATROX┘ Now there is a Norway▓s band, whose style cannot be described or defined at all. Gone is the male singer, gone is the doom, gone is the death. So what are they all about these days? Well, the age of insanity spawns insane forms of art; most are pathetic, few are insanely genius. ATROX belongs to the latter ones. Coming up with unique musical canvas, combining heavy and sometimes even thundering riffs with folkish influences and vanguard, adding twisted female vocal parts, this group delivers undoubtedly mind-shattering work. Attempting to find proper definition or whatever alike, is utterly useless in case with ATROX. I doubt if there▓re many of you out there who will become enraptured by ⌠Contentum■ as I was, however give it a chance┘ At least, once you feel you get high on it, you may reckon yourselves to the chosen ones. The servant and simultaneously the master of the art. Lastly, I believe that Diamanda Galas▓ genius gets bleak in comparison to ATROX. Now, everything depends on you. Whether you▓re narrow-minded man┘ or INDIVIDUAL. (Herr Stalhammar)

BESEECH
⌠Black Emotions■
Pavement Music
rating: 5,5 of 6
⌠Black Emotions■ is the first effort I▓m reviewing in ⌠doom / gothic / dark wave■ section this issue, and what a surprise, it easily gets almost the highest mark. No surprise, actually. I own and absolutely adore their former CD √ and even if ⌠Black Emotions■ is quite different if comparing it to ⌠┘ From A Bleeding Heart■, it▓s still a killer CD, believe me! Starting with an utterly astounding piece, ⌠Manmade Dreams■ (truly a goth / metal hit in the finest sense of this word), it continues in a bit less straightforward vein, whilst few tracks sound nearly ballad-alike (⌠Neon Ocean■, for instance). I doubt if they▓ve really changed the singer, since this deep baritone, the one ⌠Black Emotions■ features, is more than just similar to that of Jorgen Sjoberg. Vocals are brilliant, anyway. And in fact, so is the musical accompaniment. Bewitching female voice and violins aren▓t gone anywhere, even though this CD appears as more electronic-spiced in contrast to ⌠┘ From A Bleeding Heart■. More goth-oriented, perhaps┘ but no less intriguing and outstanding than previous CD. This is a must to have piece, didn▓t you get it yet?! (Herr Stalhammar)

CALLENISH CIRCLE
⌠Graceful┘ Yet Forbidding■
DSFA Records
rating: 5,5 of 6
The CALLENISH CIRCLE guys definitely made their homework good. It just makes me somewhat surprised that it took ▒em almost four years to come up with this one. However, it was worth the wait. Coming with a stunning artwork and overall appearance (courtesy of Kris Verwimp (MARDUK, etc.) as well as of few other individuals), ⌠Graceful┘■ won▓t ever disappoint you on the musical side. Generally speaking, this is melodic death / doom metal (yeah, death / doom √  not on the contrary), memorable and finely crafted; undoubtedly bewitching when it comes to inimitable atmosphere this work is impregnated with. And when you find out that these guys have been supplemented by Henri Sattler (the mastermind behind GOD DETHRONED) in vocal department as well as producership, you know this has to be an astounding piece. Do I really have to add that ⌠Graceful┘■ also features unbelievably tight performance, masterly executed leads, whilst each single track isn▓t the one to be easily forgotten? HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (Herr Stalhammar)

COVEN 13
⌠Book Of Shadows■
Akashic Records
rating: 4 of 6
Quite interesting band, to say the least. Coming with (guess what number?) 13 tracks, ⌠Book Of Shadows■ represents some inimitable sort of dreamy yet dreadful, serene yet melancholic, tranquil yet sorrowful┘ well, what? Dunno. Kind of electronic, and in the same time mostly piano-based gothic┘ metal? No. It▓s not metal at all. Still gothic, though. Got my point? No. Not my problems then. In fact, this Salem-based duo delivers pretty original and enrapturing music which doesn▓t really need to be reckoned to any particular style. At least, when it comes to metal. ⌠Clean■ and powerful male voice reminding me a bit of David Gahan, SAVIOUR MACHINE▓s Eric and few others as well, is well combined with floating ambiences this celestial music is soaked with. Few compositions strike as undoubtedly stunning (such as ⌠Carnival Ride■, ⌠Fallen Angels■, ⌠Ophelia▓s Lament■, ⌠Tell Me■), however I crave for more variety. It▓s just getting a bit boring sometimes, you see. Anyway, a very good CD.
P.S. In addition to ⌠Book Of Shadows■, COVEN 13 also provided me with their latest work, a live CD. This one features five tracks (with only one of them taken off their debut offering), and they somehow sound more similar to┘ blues and alike music. Don▓t really know, perhaps it▓s just my paranoia, but I really liked ⌠Book Of Shadows■. And didn▓t like this ⌠Live■ CD.
(review by Herr Stalhammar)

ETERNAL ELYSIUM ⌠Spiritualized D■
rating: 5 of 6
LOWRIDER ⌠Ode To Io■
rating: 4 of 6
SOLACE ⌠Further■
rating: 4,5 of 6
MeteorCity
It▓s not that often when I receive a CD or two you guys would reckon to so-called ⌠stoner■, but shit happens anyway. Or what else should I say┘ This time it was three CDs-package from young yet rapidly enlarging it▓s capabilities record company from US, going by the name MeteorCity. Ok, in fact I never considered myself a stoner-fan, more likely everything▓s quite the contrary. I just can▓t stand that stupid noise bands like ELECTRIC WIZARD deliver, however┘ However, this time I was lucky. The staff at MeteorCity definitely have a good taste in music. ETERNAL ELYSIUM were the ones I liked most, so let▓s start with this Japan▓s (!) trio (and yeah, sorry for the combined review, heh heh). The stuff they come up with, appears as some weirdly sounding mixture of so-called ⌠traditional doom metal■ and that goddamn ⌠stoner■. Ok, they managed to stay away from incorporating billion sfx▓s into their music thus offering MUSIC, not some incomprehensible buzz. The singer▓s voice strikes as really good one, at least (thank gods) it doesn▓t have anything to do with cloning Ozzy or whatever. However; I got the impression, ⌠Spiritualized D■ is more on an instrumental side, since there▓re not that much vocal chords to be discovered. The overall musical canvas seems to be enough imaginative and highly pleasant to listen to; being (mildly) experimental, it doesn▓t bother the listener, nor does it irritate. And that hidden track simply is a jewel! It▓s rather different from all the other compositions off this CD, but I won▓t tell ya what the difference is. Figure it out yourselves. And better give ⌠Spiritualized D■ a listen. And then one more┘ and one more┘ Ok, what▓s next. Ah, it▓s Sweden▓s LOWRIDER. Well, in fact it▓s a splendid work too, although much more into the actual ⌠stoner■-genre. Anyway,  are there any highlights when it comes to ⌠Ode To Io■ (what the hell is ⌠Io■, by the way)? Yep, there▓re some. First of all, the layout is beautifully┘ no, tremendously┘ no, let▓s say ⌠amazingly■ √ yeah, amazingly designed. Moreover, it▓s well thoughtout in terms of visual appearance▓s conceptual line. Secondly, few tracks off this CD definitely appear as nearly outstanding ones, like, for instance, ⌠Riding Shotgun■. Not much to say in addition. It▓s just this style I▓m not really into, that▓s why only ▒4▓ out of ▒6▓. However, when it comes to stoner-fans, they▓ll undoubtedly get high on this effort. Enough with LOWRIDER, anyway. SOLACE┘ Brought forth the light by former GODSPEED members, it couldn▓t be any crap, don▓t you think? And that▓s definitely not a crap, but more likely a fine piece of something hardly described as a cross between stoner and doom rock, slightly spiced with hardcore √  hardcore the CROWBAR and HELMET way, y▓know (check out ⌠Followed■). Generally speaking, ⌠Further■ turned out as a VERY WELL CRAFTED work, featuring certain atmosphere, utterly sincere and even somewhat innovative. It won▓t ever get you asleep, nor will it bore you to death. ⌠Further■ could be compared to a breath of the fresh air, a taste of breezy seawind. Unfortunately, I can▓t say the same regarding most of contemporary bands┘ Nevermind it, though. Let me assure you, that you won▓t spend your money in vain getting acquainted with all the three bands reviewed above.
Drop a line to MeteorCity at <info@meteorcity.com> or visit their website at <www.meteorcity.com>
 (review by Herr Stalhammar)

ETERNAL OATH
⌠Through The Eyes Of Hatred■
Pulverised Records
rating: 5,5 of 6
In fact, I thought they were dead long ago. Yeah, these Swedish guys who made their debut with ⌠So Silent■, quite an impressive piece of work in the shape of MCD. But as a matter of fact, they aren▓t dead. More likely, back with a truly skullcrushing effort, featuring the sort of music most of us ⌠successfully■ buried back in mid nineties. Raw yet atmospheric doom / death is what I▓m talking about┘ Or death / doom, to be exact. Seems like Pulverised▓s bosses definitely have a good taste in metal music, or how else may I explain the fact that NONE of their releases is a weak or worthless one? Nor is ⌠Through The Eyes Of Hatred■. It▓s undoubtedly worthy follow-up to ⌠So Silent■. What▓s most strange, it▓s even rawer than it▓s predecessor┘ Of course, keyboards and ⌠clean■ voice are here (what we do without them, heh heh), however ETERNAL OATH make emphasis on pure METAL approach. Adding mind-astounding poetry and absolutely amazing appearance, I▓d say that this CD is something far more than just ⌠good■. (Herr Stalhammar)

GREEN CARNATION
⌠Journey To The End Of The Night■
Prophecy Productions
rating: -
I thought the AUTUMNBLAZE▓s ⌠Bleak■ (the latest CD I▓ve got from Prophecy) was weird, but no. If we would compare AUTUMNBLAZE and GREEN CARNATION, the first one is Tom Jones, while the latter one is PINK FLOYD. Really. What would you think of a band with the lineup comprised of such individuals as Geir Sollied (vocals), Synne Soprana (vocals, courtesy of IN THE WOODS┘), brothers Botteri (guitars and bass, courtesy of IN THE WOODS┘, SCARIOT and CARPATHIAN FOREST), Tchort (guitar, ex-EINHERJER, SATYRICON, EMPEROR), Atle Dorum (vocals, courtesy of DRAWN), Vibeke Stene (vocals, courtesy of TRISTANIA) as well as few others? Right, this should be a masterpiece. It is not. I▓m not saying, it sucks or whatever, but it▓s really far from a greatness of f.ex. SCARIOT. Described as original and psychedelic doom metal, influenced by PINK FLOYD and CANDLEMASS, this combo comes up with extremely perturbed and twisted musical canvas (don▓t know what about lyrics, since I have a promo only). Depraved, leisured and deeply anxious, supplemented by shamanic female voices, and powerful male one, as well as various sfx▓s, it▓s insane in it▓s diversity. Masterly crafted, but still definitely of unsound mind. Reminiscent of CANDLEMASS? Perhaps. But those reminiscences are only few. Similar to PINK FLOYD? No. I guess, no. The only thing I may say for sure, it▓s strictly anti-commercial. A masterpiece or an attempt to be the one? Don▓t ask me┘ Worthless review, isn▓t it? But hey, try to review this CD yourself!!! (Herr Stalhammar)

JESSICA▓S CRIME
⌠Psychosemantic■
self-released
rating: 4 of 5
This is definitely not bad, although I wouldn▓t say I get high on this kind of music, therefore probably ⌠Psychosemantic■ would get a better mark, if it was reviewed by another person. But sorry, me is the one to review it, so let▓s better move to the subject we have to deal with, i.e. JESSICA▓S CRIME music. Well, it▓s gothic. Gothic rock, perhaps. Or gothic metal, don▓t really know. Who the hell can figure out what▓s the different between ⌠gothic rock■ and ⌠gothic metal■, anyway? This trio delivers pretty exciting and energetic, yet rather sorrowful and gloomy kind of music, sounding pretty similar to MORPHINE ANGEL at times. I do like the lyrics (undoubtedly poetic, expressive and picturesque), however I DO NOT like the way drummachine sounds. It▓s far from being bad, no doubts. But hey guys, couldn▓t you find a suitable drummer?? Generally speaking, this is a good effort which definitely will be (is) well perceived by goth freaks, however... I doubt if other metal genres▓ fans and / or followers will dig it.
Email: deadgoddreaming@hotmail.com
(review by Herr Stalhammar)

PALE FOREST
⌠Of Machines And Men■
Voices Of Wonder
rating: 6 of 6
Honestly speaking, I was completely unfamiliar with PALE FOREST when I sent their manager a promo request. I just liked the monicker, you see. PALE FOREST is the most exciting and enigmatic bandname I can recall at the moment √ and fortunately, so is their music, appearing as celestial, incredibly tremendous and mind-shattering kind of so-called ⌠gothic metal■. Or ⌠dark wave■, call it whatever you like. Firstly seeming to be based on fragile grand piano chords and sensitive female voice (erh┘ Kristin looks very much alike that girl posing nude, whose photo layout comes with), it reveals the fact it▓s supplemented by often serene, although simultaneously thunderous guitar backup; as well as charming yet anxious sounds cello and organ players managed to beget with their instruments. Insanity and genius, joy and bitterness √ ⌠Of Machines And Men■ is all about contradictions, surprisingly contriving to come up with stunning commonness in the end. Should I really state that lyrically this CD is stunning as well √ while it▓s appearance strikes as undoubtedly very well thoughtout (to say the least), combining various (mostly (whatta surprise!) pale) colors and images in the utterly incredible way. A masterpiece. Second place (out of three) in ⌠best CD (doom / gothic / dark wave genre)■, No.5 in ⌠best newcomer■, No.5 in ⌠most impressive lyrical canvas■ and No.2 in ⌠best CD / MC appearance■ charts┘ Isn▓t that enough for you?? In fact, saying that wasn▓t really a necessary thing. Those who give a listen to this work, will become enraptured at once. Or am I wrong? No. Definitely NO. (Herr Stalhammar)

SERENADE
⌠Plague Of Time■
Golden Lake Productions
rating: 4 of 6
Pretty good recording, although I expected it to be at least a bit better. This time Scotland▓s SERENADE came up with a self-financed product (Golden Lake is the own company of theirs, I believe), although I wouldn▓t say this fact harmed anything when it comes to ⌠Plague Of Time■. I hugely liked their former work, ⌠The Chaos They Create■, mainly because of the lead guitar passages (and now that second guy (don▓t remember his name) is gone, leaving Fraser alone to rule over guitar sound) and John▓s improved singing. And what▓s most important, ⌠The Chaos┘■ undoubtedly was a diverse kind of CD. Unfortunately, ⌠Plague Of Time■ lasts for 21 minutes only with three compositions features, and it▓s definitely not enough to judge this work fairly. What I can say for sure, is that SERENADE sound much more brutal now. Actually, this is death metal √ while previously I considered this band to be some kind of ⌠progressive doom / death metal■ when it comes to definitions. It▓s really hard to say if I prefer this one over ⌠The Chaos They Create■ or not. I guess, the latter. Anyway, this is still a very good piece √ and let▓s not forget that it (thank gods) lacks any trace of boredom. Just give a listen to almost 10 minutes-long ⌠Casting The Flesh / Say Hello To Hell■ and you▓ll see.
Email: serenade4@yahoo.co.uk
(review by Herr Stalhammar)

THE BLOODLINE
⌠Opium Hearts■
Serenades Records
rating: 6 of 6
What a hell of CD! Lead by ex-PYOGENESIS bassist Roman Schoensee (who also takes in part in few other acts, such as THE DREAMSIDE), THE BLOODLINE revives the genre I was awaiting to be revived for oh so long!!! Here comes splendorous and astounding piece of classic doom metal (slightly spiced with dark wave) early 90ties were remarkable with. Yes, it▓s melodic doom metal featuring excellent growling as well as female back up voice, exciting compositional structures and instrumentation, thus providing us with the best ⌠true■ (heh heh) doom metal album since MY DYING BRIDE▓s latest offering (well, let us not forget about Sweden▓s ETERNAL OATH, though). BRILLIANT. (Herr Stalhammar)