Ahab

Ill Omen – Æ.Thy.Rift Review

Ill Omen – Æ.Thy.Rift Review

By Mark Z. on March 17, 2016 in 2016, Australian Metal, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Nuclear War Now! Productions, Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, 20 comments

“Sometimes the right setting is everything for a metal album. Fortunately for myself, through a pretty atypical series of life events I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy several records in environments that bring out their absolute best. I’ve listened to Ahab while snuggled below decks on a three-masted barque sailing in the North Atlantic, I’ve listened to Wolves in the Throne Room while hiking the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest, I’ve listened to Baroness while cruising through the humid towns of southeastern America, and I’ve listened to The Acacia Strain while cleaning my toilet. But Æ.Thy.Rift, the third album from Australian one-man black metal project Ill Omen, isn’t one of those albums that just benefits from a proper listening environment – it demands one.” So…give it up!

Shape of Despair – Monotony Fields Review

Shape of Despair – Monotony Fields Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on June 18, 2015 in 2015, Doom Metal, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Doom Metal, Funeral Doom, 37 comments

If sitting alone in a darkened room, lighting a few candles, uncorking a good claret, and settling in for an uninterrupted hour of beauteous funeral doom sounds like your idea of a fun night in, you’re probably already a fan of Shape of Despair. Discovering that they were finally releasing a new LP after eleven years of waiting left me pert with anticipation.” Slow and low, that is the tempo.

Bell Witch – Four Phantoms Review

Bell Witch – Four Phantoms Review

By El Cuervo on April 25, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Profound Lore Records, Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 33 comments

“I have to be honest. Aside from my love for doom metal, the main reason I picked up this promo was that it is released by Profound Lore Records, which has become a by-word for quality in recent times. The list goes on and on. The prospect of a new funeral death doom release on this label had me all kinds of excited….” Great expectations are a dangerous thing.

Crimson Swan – Unlit Review

Crimson Swan – Unlit Review

By Angry Metal Guy on March 15, 2015 in 2015, Doom Metal, German Metal, Gothic Metal, Quality Steel Records, Reviews, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, 39 comments

“Crimson Swan is a German atmospheric funeral doom band from Hamburg, Germany. With one EP under their belt from 2012, Unlit marks the band’s full-length debut. Readers of this site are likely aware that funeral doom and I rarely see eye-to-eye. My case of Angry Metal Attention Deficit Disorder™ is well-documented and as a general rule records that don’t pop out speedy tracks littered with engaging virtuoso performances or progressive wankery send me out to do what Steel Druhm calls kindly ‘moss gazing.'” Can these novice German doom metallers strike that special chord in Angry Metal Guy’s heart? Or is he doomed to hours worth of moss gazing and boredom?

Slug Lord – Transmutation Review

Slug Lord – Transmutation Review

By El Cuervo on January 14, 2015 in 2015, Doom Metal, Finnish Metal, MDD Records, Reviews, Sludge, Doom Metal, Funeral Doom, Sludge Metal, 9 comments

““Five overlength songs of Sludge-Doom-Metal.” This is the opening statement made of Slug Lord’s sophomore release, Transmutation, on their one sheet. As far as inspirational and enthusing promotional materials go, this resides somewhere next to “chlamydia – perhaps the most average of all sexually-transmitted infections” and “Volvo – the best example of Swedish culture.”” Prepare the salt baths!

Encoffination – III-Hear Me O’ Death (Sing Thou Wretched Choirs) Review

Encoffination – III-Hear Me O’ Death (Sing Thou Wretched Choirs) Review

By Mark Z. on October 18, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Selfmadegod Records, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 1 comment

“It’s no surprise death is such a common theme in metal. Whether through global religious institutions or personal musings on mortality, it’s something we struggle with both individually and as a society, a looming black unknown that begs questions about what happens when we pass on. Encoffination, however, do not ponder questions of life and death. Instead, the duo work within the mausoleum of extreme doom metal to embrace death head-on….” Death is as death does.