Doom Metal Alliance is one of the biggest supporter of the Doom scene. If you are into Doom and still haven't heard of this then you better get your butt out of the rock and check it out. They release a sampler every now and then and this is their 9th one. I have to say this is my favorite sampler so far because of a high amount of excellent bands that deserve more recognition. The sampler consist of not just Doom but Drone, some Post Rock, Ambient, Sludge, and more. All the samplers are free for download so I'm telling you it won't hurt to check it out. I know nobody would say no to free music.

Best song: Yidhra - The Lament Of Longinus (killer song and I'm really into this band now thanks to the sampler)

Worst song: Destino Entierro - The Alcholichrist (pretty decent but I prefer the other songs than this one)


Score: 8.5/10


Download here

Labels: ambient, doom, doom metal alliance, drone, post rock, review, sampler, sludge metal

Somber Gravity is one of many projects by Napalm Dave, and a very dark ambient/darkscape with horror/sci fi theme. The project has been around for years and he finally decided put it to rest with this two albums finale. I was actually sad to hear that because this is really an excellent project and it's free to download...can't beat that!

I'll start with The Burial album. I really dig the prevalent theme mostly about horror and sci fi influenced lyrics on death and end of life. It's pretty fitting considering this is the last Somber Gravity material ever to be released. I really dig the ambiance on the track "This Bitter End We Meet Without" which happens to be my favorite track on this album. The best part of the entire album has to be the samples Dave used because they aren't that obvious with first listen but if you listen carefully then you will be able to noticed where those samples came from. I won't tell you what it is because that is the fun part of listening to the album!

Now, The Funeral album. Pretty much similar as the first album and a good conclusion for the project in general. I think this one is "softer" and more somber with the lyrics and the music composition. Love the song "Prelude To The End of My Life" and my main complaint with this album is that its much shorter than the Burial. At first I was suspicious of the two albums concept because most of the time when a band does that it would be too long and the music would be bit too spread out. However this isn't true for this project and I'm really glad Dave decided to do double album concept to end it. It's definitely a grand finale.


Score: 9/10

Best Song: "This Bitter End We Meet Without"-best song hands down on this albums and quite possibly out of all Somber Gravity tracks.

Worst Song:" Dead"-still a decent track but could use some more variety because it sounds bit "same-y" with other tracks in general.


http://napalmdrones.niceboard.net/forum.htm (a forum where you can find this release and learn more about Dave's other projects)

Labels: ambient, darkscape, review, somber gravity

Imagine yourself falling into a reality of pure blue water existence...that is what I felt when I listened to this vinyl on my record player. This is some excellent ambient music and I personally never heard of this band before I got a copy from the record label- Droehnhaus(in Germany).

The first side(A) has 3 very dark and doomy songs. None of the songs are fast at all...just very slow and ominous mood setting. I find it very fascinating to hear that while watching the record spinning around and around. The record itself is blue so it really fit the mood I think the band is trying to portray in the music. On the third song, there is something that is bit different. The beats I hear is pretty muffled. At first I thought it was some kind of mistake made during production but I realized that it fits the song really well. It almost give a suffocating feeling which makes sense.

The another side(B) is much more uplifting but not entirely happy, happy, joy, joy feeling. It's almost like I'm being pulled slowly out of the watery existence...like I was in the deep then floating slowly up to the surface. It's definitely interesting feeling and I really dig it a lot. The sound is much more soothing and calm than the first side.

I strongly recommend this album for people who are into ambient/noise and want to have a true musical and visual experience. This album is only released on vinyl so you better have a record player to play it.

Best Song: Phantom Ringer-the first song and the darkest. I just love the vibe I get while listening to the album. It's almost like I was "born" into the dark and watery existence.

Worst Song: Floaty Ghost-second song and a little too "samey" to the first song in my opinion but still a great song overall.


Score:8/10

www.myspace.com/mystified

Labels: ambient, droehnhaus, drone, mystified, reviews

I was recommended by a friend to check this band out. Got the album from the man behind this band and I gave it several listens in past week. All I can say is...wow what an intense listening experience I ever had in awhile. It's not exactly straight up doom metal...it's more of simplistic drone with tons of ambient and a dash of black metal influences. To be honest, I never heard anything like this and I'm really fascinated by this album. Its actually two CDs album packaged in beautiful wood-like CD holder being stored in a nice package. It has amazing photography all over and lyrics insert. The tracklist is 11 songs at almost 90 minutes which is very long for an album(a bonus!). I kind of feel like I will be a bipolar when listening to this album because I'm listening to melodies but at the same time some weird feedback or disortion kicked in. I actually tlaked with the man behind this project and he said that it was made almost completely on the spot and its not meant to be easily reproduced which is remarkable if you think about it.

This album is not for easy listening or listening for fun...this is meant to be taken seriously and sit in dark in the basement with candles on and listen intensely.

Best Song: "The Sun Glints Through The Dust With Risen From Their Hooves" has some weird metalliac riffs that is just awesome.

Worst Song: "Knives At My Brain In The Discordance Of Sleep" still a great song but bit too much for me. I guess I will need to give it more time and absorb the music over time..maybe my opinion will change.


Score: 9/10

www.myspace.com/adeathcinematic

Labels: a death cinematic, ambient, black metal, drone, review metal