If you've been following my blog since the beginning then you should remember my review of their album "Sombre Romantic" and gave it a 8.5.  This album was released after "Sombre Romantic" and is a first part of the Requiem trilogy.  So far only the first two albums are released and the final part is unknown.  I really wonder if they will release the final part...

Back to the point, this album is an absolutely gorgeous gothic doom album with tons of classical influences.  The vocals are top notch and the instrument works is near perfect.  They got a symphony orchestra from their home country to play the classical parts of the album. That's pretty awesome and really expand the atmosphere of the album.   The lyrics is beautifully written and full of emotion but at the same time not so cheesy.  I don't normally over hype albums but I'm blown away from this one and it's definitely one of the best album I've ever heard.  Not just for metal genre but for music in general.  Recommended for any music fan really.


Score: 9.5/10

Labels: classical, doom metal, gothic metal, review, virgin black

Surtr is a doom band from France and consist of two members. Pretty new band, founded last year, and released a demo. They sent me a copy and asked for a review. The demo includes three songs, two original and one cover song. The music is pretty much straight up doom which is not bad thing. I can definitely tell they are influenced by Sabbath and Reverend Bizarre(one of my favorite).

The first two songs are simply titled part I and V which makes me suspect they already have a full length in works but I could be wrong. The first song is about 9 minutes long and I really love the beginning which is full of heavy riffs. However I have to admit I get a little bored after a while and I was wondering when the song will end. The second song is much more interesting and pretty catchy. Last song is a cover song on Black Sabbath "Electric Funeral" and I think it's done pretty decently. However, I think it's getting old because I've heard tons, tons of bands doing cover on Black Sabbath songs. I would prefer a cover song on some underrated bands like Reverend Bizarre. In fact, I don't think I ever heard of any band doing a cover on Reverend Bizarre songs. If any of you guys know of one then please tell me!


Overall, this is pretty good demo and I definitely will keep an eye on this band and see what they will do with their music in future. This is good stuff for anyone who dig some catchy doom music.

Best Song: Part V

Worst Song: Part I (gets boring after a bit while)

Score: 7/10

http://www.myspace.com/surtrdoom

Labels: black sabbath, doom, doom metal, review, surtr, traditional doom

Yidhra is an upcoming doom metal band and I've heard one of their song off the DMA(Doom Metal Alliance) Sampler. I really loved the song so I went ahead and bought a copy of their EP. I have to say it's such a bargain because it was only 5 bucks!

The music is pretty much straight up doom metal and there isn't anything that haven't been done. However they played it so well that I can't help but really dig the music. It's very catchy and I absolutely love the song structure. Just listen to "Witch Queen" and you will know what I mean.

One thing I really have to commend is the production of the EP. When I heard how clear and crisp the sound is, I pretty much said "YES!". I love me underground music and totally understand the reasons behind crappy or so-so production, either on purpose or not. However, I would like to hear some good quality music every now and then. They really put their money into this release and the quality is excellent. I can hear every instruments really well and none of them are either too loud or too quiet. Huge props to the guy behind the mastering.


Best Song: "Witch Queen"

Worst Song: "Ancient Ones" (don't get me wrong...still a good song!)


Score: 8/10


www.myspace.com/yidhra

Labels: 80s metal, doom metal, doom metal alliance, review, yidhra

A 2 song EP by a Braizilian Doom Metal band, De Profvndis Clamati. They sent the songs to me through myspace and I decided to give it a couple of listens. I have to admit this is nothing what I've expected from a South American band. I don't mean to be stereotypical but I usually expect more of lo-fi and brutal sound because that's what I've heard from majority of the South American bands. This one is definitely a big exception and I really liked it.

There is a lot of different influences in those two songs. Very slow...almost funeral doom style but there is significant amount of folk influences which is interesting because I don't think I've ever heard any of that in other South American bands so far. I really enjoyed the guitar work on this EP. The drums is pretty good but nothing special.

I'm bit disappointed that there's only two songs and I think it should be considered a demo instead of a EP. I was left wanting more and bit disappointed that I only have those two songs. That can be a good thing because I'm definitely interested in picking up whatever they are going to release.

I'm not going to do best/worst song because...well there's only two songs! I have to say I really liked the song "Love May Sink By Slow Decay" better out of the two songs.


6/10 (lower rating because its only two songs..argh! Also the drumming was alright..need to be improved)

http://www.myspace.com/deprofvndisclamati

Labels: american metal, brazillian metal, de profvndis clamati, doom metal, review, south american metal