Dec 8, 2017

Forgotten Tomb (2017) We Owe You Nothing 'Review'

Band: Forgotten Tomb
Country of Origin: Italy
Genre: Black Death Sludge metal
Type: Full Length
Format: Digital 320 kbps
Length Approx.: 41:00 min.
Release Date10-27-2017
Release Label: Agonia Records

IR Classification: Good (4.1 / 5)



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Creative Black Death Sludge metal

In my humble opinion, here we have a general misconception of what really delivers Forgotten Tomb within their ninth album entitled "We Owe You Nothing" for starters, I believe that Forgotten Tomb definitely walked away from their roots, What is wrong with it? Nothing! I believe, that is the perpetual path that a musicians have to go across, keep on moving, expand their boundaries, blend elements from here and there and by doing that, they should know that some fans will abandon them and while others will remain faithful to them.

The trio leaded by Herr Morbid, deepens in previous directions they had taken for "Hurt Yourself and the Ones You Love" adding more versatility into their songwriting giving a result to something between a groovy southern Sludge and Death metal sound; They still have some Black metal elements and some dark ambience to show up and they really try to highlight those moments.



"We Owe You Nothing" is the first track of the album from the very beginning is strong, with powerful riffs of accentuated grooves and is able to achieve such unrelenting aggressivity, followed by "Second Chances" it doesn't softener the pace and just keep on going with merciless chords, at a certain point the voice echoes in my head and inevitably the vague memory of the vocals of the album "The End Complete" by Obituary emerge, "Saboteur" the musical structure is more varied with faster riffs, while Asher pummeling incessantly the drums to deliver an outstanding work and once again the vocals with that Tardy-scheme appear, next is "Abandon Everything" elaborated with such a contrast among the raw and acoustic composition, seems like they approach to the boundaries of Death-Doom metal, "Longing for Decay" certainly grabs a handful of slow pace riffs defining indisputably the ground where Forgotten Tomb stands up nowadays, the closing and instrumental cut "Black Overture" feels like a constant torrent that drags you by a desolate landscape, where souls collide and fade away to see the inheritance of humanity.

I have to end up admitting that "We Owe You Nothing" indeed, it means exactly that, they don't owe you nothing, if you're still loving the old stuff and you're not ready to depart with them, let me tell you one thing, we will be just fine without you and I include myself because I like what I hear and expect more new elements to come.

Stay True... Stay Metal... Stay Brutal...


Track List:

01. We Owe You Nothing
02. Second Chances
03. Saboteur
04. Abandon Everything
05. Longing for Decay
06. Black Overture






Agonia Records



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Dec 6, 2017

Sorcerer (2017) The Crowning of the Fire King 'Review'

Band: Sorcerer
Country of Origin: Sweden
Genre: Epic Doom metal
Type: Full Length
Format: Digital 320 kbps
Length Approx.: 01:11:00 min.
Release Date10-20-2017
Release Label: Metal Blade Records

IR Classification: Excellent (4.6 / 5)



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Excellent Epic Doom metal, no complaints allow.

Sorcerer is simply like a fine wine, you gather the best ingredients, crush them, leave them to ferment, extrude the mixture and let it blend and age, bottle up and finally enjoy a unique mixture of twenty-five years of aging, that's how Sorcerer can be compared, only as the finest bands within the genre, you just can't skip "The Crowning of the Fire King".

Is very rare that I pick two Epic Doom metal albums within a short period of time, as I picked already Forsaken and their album "Pentateuch" and I'm sure I didn't go wrong with them, but neither will I go wrong with Sorcerer and "The Crowning of the Fire King", because it excels in all the ways you want to see this album, the songwriting is stunning, I can't point anything negative about it, the vocals surpass way beyond my expectatives, the length of the album doesn't turn into a boredom and they always managed to keep you engaged at listening, it never let you get away, So! yes... this definitely is a excellent album.



"The Crowning of the Fire King" contains ten tracks of varied tunes that are easy to classify in three groups the opener cut "Sirens", Abandoned by the Gods" and "Crimson Cross" belong to the energetic tracks with such vehemence, then we have "Ship of Doom", the self title track "The Crowning of the Fire King", "Unbearable Sorrow" and "Disciples of the Dark" with a very accentuated Epic Doom metal sound, down tempo with an excellent guitar work a majestic vocal work to sing along with Engberg and last we have "The Devil's Incubus", "Crimson Cross" and "Bringer of Misery" these tracks fits more into a melodic scheme with catchy choruses; Also we can't skip "Nattvaka" the acoustic interlude that's simple but dominant; So everything here exceeds what you're looking for, it is not necessary to say it, but Sorcerer has consolidated with this as their second work.

I would say that Sorcerer has establish their own brand of Epic Doom metal with their sophomore work, a very distinctive sound that allow them to be apart and dig up their own legacy, an album that will surely reach more than just one list of the top ten of 2017, they sure will have a place in ours!

Stay True... Stay Metal... Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Sirens
02. Ship of Doom
03. Abandoned by the Gods
04. The Devil's Incubus
05. Nattvaka
06. Crimson Cross
07. The Crowning of the Fire King
08. Unbearable Sorrow



Metal Blade Records


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Dec 3, 2017

Andras (2017) Reminiszenzen... 'Review'

Band: Andras
Country of Origin: Germany
Genre: Epic Pagan Black metal
Type: Full Length
Format: CD Digipak
Length Approx.: 01:07:00 min.
Release Date10-20-2017
Release Label: Einheit Producktionen

IR Classification: Good (4.0 / 5)




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Mysticism and creativity as one

Andras released their seventh full length few weeks ago entitled "Reminiszenzen" containing thirteen tracks and lasting about one hour and seven minutes which is quite a lot to listen, the largest within their discography so far, it seems that Nightsky guitarist and the main composer has been pretty active as far as songwriting refers during the last seven years, Andras has opted to remain faithful to their own style making few incursions, adding more atmospheric sections resulting interesting.

Also we have to mention that Andras' line-up has been refreshed, Nightsky remains on guitar duties, Black Abyss has taken over bass, while Ghwerig takes care of the keyboard and last but not least Khenaz contributes with the vocals.



"Reminiszenzen" from beginning to end has plagued with a solid pagan black metal with an emphasis on ethereal melodies, with a powerful and harsh vocals to lead your soul to hell, the album opens with "Im Schatten der Flammen" which means "In the Shadow of the Flames" translated from German, the track is powerful and engage you right away with a brutality offered but softened with the right kind of melodies to linger for a while with yourself, "Black Rain" is very epic, the way they managed to shift back and forth the pace with complex structures that sound straightforward while the vocals delves into a nineties style screeching with backing vocals included into melodic sections, this album is full of good tracks "Phantasma" and "Zenit" this one appeals to be more oriented to the black metal sound, the works behind the keyboards is amazing and there are more songs to highlight as, "Altar der Finsternis" doesn't stop the torrent of heavy riffs that are overwhelming, or the track "Blessed in Sin" very alike Quorthon's style, creator of Bathory and forerunner of the same style Pagan metal, "Fergunna" comes with a ceremonial emphasis on the choirs, with a semi-slow rhythm that projects the double bass drum parts impeccably, let's jump to the last track "Das Portal (Outro)" which does exactly what an outro does, with a smooth ending begins with some piano notes which fade away, to give space to a heartbreaking and devastating guitar riff, nothing new but effective for such magnum opus.

To finish, I can say Andras has become such of an underground cult act of today with a clear idea of what it means to be a Pagan Black metal band and how to transfer the mysticism and creativity as one piece, the downside on this album is the length, it takes you sixty-seven minutes to listen and appreciate what they have done, but to put it simply, it doesn't work for me listen for so long to a single band; So there you have it, "Reminiszenzen" is an album that can't be ignored.

Stay True... Stay Metal... Stay Brutal...


Track List:

01. Im Schatten Der Flammen
02. Black Rain
03. Phantasma
04. Zenit
05. Die Tilgung
06. Der Blinde Mann
07. Altar Der Finsternis
08. Blessed in Sin
09. Anewand
10. Fergunna
11. Der Raubschütz 1
12. Der Raubschütz 2
13. Das Portal



Einheit Produktionen

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Dec 2, 2017

Forsaken (2017) Pentateuch 'Review'

Band: Forsaken
Country of Origin: Malta
Genre: Epic Doom metal
Type: Full Length
Format: CD Digipak
Length Approx.: 55:00 min.
Release Date10-13-2017
Release Label: Mighty Music

IR Classification: Good (3.8 / 5)



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Another Gem to the crown of Doom metal

During the week been busy writing some other different topics than music, for or without any particular reason "Pentateuch" the fifth album of the Maltese Doom metal masters Forsaken was really played often, on my music player, the magic riffs infused in their melodic formula ended up captivating my attention and dragged me down to old memories and it was inevitable to compare to what I consider the trident of Epic Doom metal, the Swedish Candlemass, the American Solitude Aeturnus and the British act Solstice, because is exactly what you are about to find out here a classic and epic album in the purest vein of Doom metal.

In fact, I could tell you that they are contemporaries of the aforementioned bands and maybe because of their geographical location, the Nineties were not so easy for them, the lack of promotion, distribution and the proliferating Black metal scene were adverse factors for them, however the time, conviction and persistence have managed to mount another gem, to the crown of Epic Doom metal.



"Phaneros (Coming to Light)" an anthemic opener for "Serpent Bride", the riff that kicks off it takes some middle eastern influence, or at least I perceive that, eventually the track builds up with strength and personality the vocals by Leo Stivala reach the right pitch, creating an an special vibe, next is "The Banishment" honestly I'm not quite sure why they use this short track or prelude just right before "Primal Wound", whatever they tried to do didn't work for me, but I can tell you "Primal Wound" is powerful the riff is not over elaborate, allowing the bass take its moment with a bombastic drum execution, that makes this of the best tracks of the album, "The Dove and The Raven" opt to explore a more slower pace putting aside for a moment those epic passages, the backing vocals contrast a little to nothing with high pitch and energetic vocals of Stivala, "Decalogue" seems to be the obliged track that fills out any Doom metal work. I struggled managing listening to it, because the lack of engaging riffs and we are almost barely passed half way of this album, will be a good or bad omen? well "Sabaoth (The Law Giver)" shall end with the doubt, incorporating a closer approach to the NWOBHM more variables, catchy riff and a drum set that's invigorated and delivering an enjoyable guitar solo by Sean Vokovic, the last track is, "Apocryphal Winds" which barely go over the fifteen minutes mark, plenty of doomy passages with memorable melodies and choruses that melds just fine all together and brings a sad feeling, however after minute eleven all the sudden awakes and begin to shift everything around creating an emotional chaos.

After several listening to "Pentateuch" I can confirm what I stated at the beginning this is a another gem to the crown of Doom metal, regardless of the low moments offered and disconcerting ending, the album is more than that by itself it explores a wide variety within the genre, I cannot label them with an excellent work but certainly they achieve a good enough work after more than eight years out of the recording studio, lovers of Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus and Solstice, Please! do yourself a favor and go grab this album, you won't regret it.

Stay True... Stay Metal... Stay Brutal...

Track List:

01. Phaneros (Coming to Light)
02. Serpent Bride
03. The Banishment
04. Primal Wound
05. The Dove and The Raven
06. Decalogue
07. Sabaoth (The Law Giver)
08. Apocryphal Winds




Mighty Music

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