Imber Luminis – Life as Burden

posted by Zamo on February 22, 2011

Imber Luminis were officially born in 2009, but mostly, they started their activity in 2006. Deha’s idea, the person who is behind this project, was to create a personal world, mixing slow, melodic metal with harsh and clean vocals.

Deha is also the person who is behind more projects, such as YHDARL (suicidal/funeral black/doom), MERDA MUNDI (black metal), SLOW (atmospheric “space” slow doom), etc. Eventually, Imber Luminis was also inspired from influences that were used in the other projects mentioned above.





The concept of Imber Luminis is simply a catharsis of feelings about life, death, sorrow, pain, suffering and true melancholy. A prime demonstration, named “Fletus“, was a concept of 39 minutes, released in autoproduction and for free in 2010. “Fletus” is a concept that can be classified easily in the sphere of atmospheric doom metal, an entirely atmospheric track, many passages of keys that amplify this state of mind, completed by rough, slow riffs, typical in doom metal.

The new release, “Life as Burden“, contains 4 long tracks, including a cover song of the too well known song “Sick of it all” by the band FINGER ELEVEN, completely done with IL’s touch.

The album doesn’t fully follow the idea of the concept entitled “Fletus” (an atmospheric album), the keys aren’t just as pronounced anymore, they appear periodically and only to create or to outline a harder atmosphere. Sometimes the keys are just short passages of classical piano, a thing that turns it into a trace of melancholy. ( this kind of passages can be found in the track “Life as Burden“).

The rhythm of the drums isn’t technical, it follows a line and they don’t really stand out through ruptures of rhythm. For a doom metal album, it’s supposed to be this way, a slow, steady rhythm without too much of a change; the best things are sometimes the simplest ones. Explosive passages would not fit into an album that should be regarded as melancholic, contemplative and depressive.

The riffs, hard, repetitive and slow are very similar to the ones used in “Fletus”. The thing that gives this album its authenticity are the vocal parts that were introduced. A combination of clean vocals ( In “Sick of it all“, for example ) and screams, very specific to depressive black metal. It’s a thing that you don’t encounter nearly as often, depressive black metal vocals and funeral doom, mixed.





All in all “Life as Burden” is a combination of low tones, rough riffs, authentic parts of funeral doom and melancholic sequences, lashed into a gloomy ambiance. This thing is mostly standing out in the last track of the album, “Suicidal Crisis” (great track) . It’s an album that takes your blackest thoughts out, an album that gives you suffering, pain and desperation, so that they’d reach the most obscure cells of one’s brain, it’s actually everything that couldn’t be said through “Fletus” : the dark part of our own feelings.

This is going to be one great release for sure.

Rating: 9 / 10

Tracklist :

1. Perfect Death

2. I am not

3. Sick of it all

4. Life as Burden

5. Suicidal Crisis

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/imberluminis

http://www.last.fm/music/Imber+Luminis

Nicht – Catalepsy sinks

posted by Zamo on January 23, 2011

Nicht was born in october, 2009.

The project was initiated by Eudes and Laetitia, bringing together a mixture of various influences and creating a personal and vibrant world.

Many tracks were quickly written and Iggy Sharpe Blake joined the band on vocals in February 2010. The year 2010 was dedicated to the development of the first ep, an EP that’s the precursor to a full length album that will follow in 2011.

Nicht is a blend of different styles, a little bit to many if you ask me, from gothic to black and doom influences – and even some postrock. Well yeah, the first thing that hit me when I saw the cover of “Catalepsy sinks” was “looks great, it has a postrock touch”.





You’ll be able to hear this touch right from the start in “Paralysis” and some seconds from “Out of reach”, after this the postrock influences stop.

The guitars, throughout the album are quite aggressive, in “Out of reach” a little bit too aggressive from the start, but this are often doubled by keyboards . The vocals alternate between clean vocals and almost guttural growls ( the male vocals are a little disappointing, not a big fan ) .We also have a female singer, Sombr I Yahn, which gives the tracks a distinct flavor.

From my point of view the back spine of the EP is the track called “Hope”, it has a gothic-doom touch, with slow beats, some typical gothic metal instruments like “piano, violin”, crushing riffs and some nice and subtle female voice in the background. Throughout the track it has passages that are purely exploding in tempo.

All in all the EP is quite decent, but as I said above a little bit too many influences ( I would prefer that they stuck to the gothic-doom style ) and maybe another approach on the vocals. However it appears that Blake has since parted ways with the band, so they are now on the lookout for a new vocalist. It will be interesting to see what effect it will have on their forthcoming album.

Ratting : 7 / 10

Track Listing
1) Paralysis
2) Out Of Reach
3) Last Breath
4) Hope
5) Room 19
6) Head Trip
7) Dark Blight

CD Available from Lugga Music Mail order Distributors

Official MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/nichtmusic

www.luggamusic.com

Cebren-Khal – A Mass of Despair

posted by Zamo on September 26, 2010

Cebren-Khal – “A Mass of Despair”

Genre: black/doom metal

Country: France

Label: BadMoonMan





Before describing the album in several short words, I’d say it would be accurate to mention several words about the band as well, even if they have a past of quite a few years.

Cebren-Khal were born in Rennes, France, at the beginning of 2004.
During summer 2005, Cebren-Khal recorded their first demo, entitled “Charon’s Path” Including 4 tracks, this demo was released at the beginning of November 2005. The “Charon’s Path” demo got a warm and even enthusiastic reception by underground press. Some gigs, including in May 2006 French final of the “Metal Battle – Wacken Open Air”, proved also good audience reactions.
During February 2007, Cebren-Khal begin with the recording of their new album, entitled A Mass of Despair.In 2010, “A Mass of Despair” is finally released under the russian doom metal label Solitude Productions.

Cebren-Khal belongs to the sphere of doom/death metal bands, but with a very strong influence of melodic black metal. Through the album entitled “A mass of Despair”, there is a track with 3 parts in which we notice this transition from death/doom to influences of melodic black metal in the most accurate manner; I’m refering to the three parts that belong to the song named “the Lunar Tragedy”. When you listen to these parts, you have the sensation that you’re passing through an initiation in these genres, a switch between a track with a stronger doomish accent.. And then another, with a more defined mold towards melodic black metal.. Or even both of them, combined. Of course, we also encounter transitions from melancholic passages to furiously fast black metal guitar ridds, which could confuse you at a certain point if you’re not familiar with these transitions. The lyrical work is filled with philosophic knowledge and ideals and the vocals range from gloomy, spoken words to guttural expulsions. The vocals mingle very well with the emotional impact of the song ( for example in: “Where All Hope Is Lost”, „The Lunar Tragedy – Act 2. Mouroir, Mouroir, Suis-Je Le Plus Mort” ). These two songs are also the ones that caught my ear the most, maybe because they keep a straighter line of doom/death metal.

Eventually, I can say that “A mass of Despair” was a bit too avant-garde for my tastes. The passage from harsher tracks to more doomish ones, to fast tracks with aggressive black metal riffs was too fast, too sudden. It was a bit hard for me to let myself sink into the atmosphere created by the slower tracks when I could be prodded towards reality right afterwards, anytime. However, these things don’t steal any merit of the album, which is very well composed.

You can check them out on myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/cebrenkhal

Rating: 7/10.



Decemberance – Inside

posted by Zamo on

Decemberance – Inside

Genre: Death/doom metal

Country: Greece

Label: I for an I





As long as Greek metal bands are concerned, the first names that pop into my mind would be Rotting Christ, Septic Flesh, Nightfall, Ravencult or Suicidal Angels.. It was quite hard to associate Greece with a death/doom metal band. I was proved wrong.

Decemberance was formed in September 1997. With some changes from the original line-up, the first demo “Decemberance” came out in January 1998, obtaining good reviews from the relevant Greek press. Their first full-length, “Inside”, was released during the end of 2009. In July 2010 the album was re-released, world wide this time ( Germany, Austria, Belgium,Bulgaria, Canada, Estonia, France, Italy, Japan, Luxemburg, Mexico, Holland, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland and U.S.A) through Twilight Vertrieb.

“Inside” isn’t an ordinary death/doom album and surely, you can’t just say “Oh, right.. I’ve heard this way too many times already”. Of course, like any band, Decembrance as well let themselves influenced by other bands or genres, but, for sure, this fact contributed to the unique in their tracks.. It offered them originality.

“Time” is the track that prepares you for the whole album; A track that makes you understand the upcoming content in subtle manners. “Inside” is an album in which we encounter classical doom metal passages, with low riffs and heavy growls, special effects accompanied by a subtle organ, and all these elements confer a cryptic and gloomy sensation. If we only look at these aspects, we can say that it’s a typical death/doom album, but at this point, those influence i mentioned above interfere. Transitions between that classical death/doom, to rough death metal passages, even several psychedelic and progressive moments. Surprising are, as well, the moments in which violin, semi acoustic guitar, or piano passages appear. Even though there are so many different moments that you have to pay attention to, the album is well composed, it seems knotted and goes on with its concept until the very end.

Maybe the only bad side of these influences, dipped in so many genres would be that it splits the doom metal listeners in two, somewhat, it depends on you, whether you accept a trace of new in a doom metal album or not.

It may fulfill the likes of the people that accept a more complex approach of the tracks, that don’t really look for a stereotypical sort of doom metal and are waiting for something new and surprising with every single song or it may make the classical death/doom metal followers have impose several objection (such as.. the tracks should be a bit shorter and the death metal areas a bit less frequent.. or maybe it should focus more on a single genre).

Nonetheless, as an ending, the album deserves to be listened to by every single fan of the genre, you will certainly encounter moments in which you will be pleasantly surprised and will tell yourself.. ” I didn’t expect that “. Also, only this way you will be able to form an objective personal approach over the album named ” Inside “.

Tracks that went to my heart: Time, Rain, Sunset.

Until then, you can find something about them on their myspace page as well:
http://www.myspace.com/decembrance

Rating:
7.5/10

Revelations Of Rain – Emanation of Hatred [2010]

posted by Zamo on September 22, 2010

Revelations Of Rain – Emanation of Hatred

Genre: death/doom metal

Russia

Label: Solitude Productions, www.solitude-prod.com





Emanation of Hatred is the third upcoming album that belongs to the Russian doom/death metal band, ”Revelations of Rain”. The album further develops ideas of the previous albums and prepares you right from the start (even through its very name actually, ”Emanation of Hatred”) for a tense, emotion/hate filled experience. Maybe the release of the album on the 13th wasn’t purely coincidental.

‘‘Emanation of Hatred” fully gives the impression of a very well made album, a very knotted one, to be precise, with heavy riffs that accompany you almost every single moment throughout, with the dark and slow rhythm of the drums that amplify this heavy atmosphere. The voice is exactly the way it’s supposed to be in a death/doom album.. low and heavy growls. As far as these passages spread throughout the album may be concerned, I can also place the album in the sphere of funeral doom, influences of this subgenre being very clear.

However, the album means far more than what I’ve previously mentioned. So many influences appear while you’re listening to every single track.. The rhythm breaks that appear in some certain places, with solos and fast drum beats underline in a strong manner the death metal part (it’s very noticeable in the track called ‘‘Time”, at 5:20 or so) and the long and melodic guitar solos protrude the melodic doom (a band that I’ve particularly thought of after listening these parts was The Prophecy(UK) ). A subtle black-ish influence is noticeable in the ”Antithesis of Life” at around 2:50 (a very fast drum rhythm, also, a high pitched voice).

”Emanation of Hatred” is not an album in which one may expect romanticism, melancholic states.. It would be ridiculous, rather, since the keyword of the album is ”Hatred”. It’s a harsh album, that produces a state of revolution and hatred against everything that’s surrounding you. To underline the quote from the Solitude-Prod description: ”Forget about violins, roses and romanticism: only gloom and hate fill this undoubted pearl of the genre”.

This would be one recommended album for the death/doom fans.. the ones that are familiar with and happen to listen to Mourning Beloveth, The Prophecy, Swallow the Sun, Evoken and early MDB will probably appreciate this album, as well.

Rating:

8/10 (22.09.2010)

Astral Sleep – Angel [EP-2010]

posted by Zamo on September 7, 2010

Astral Sleep – Angel [EP] 2010

Genre: Doom Metal

Lyrics : Dreams

Finland / Solitude Productions

After listening to these three songs, I have to say that I am remarkably impressed by them laced together. It is quite rare to find a band that lets the songs mold as an unit without slight difficulties. But it’s like they cool together in the same chords, in the same textures. I might’ve been more impressed by a well defined diversity in the sounds, all of them seem similar, somehow, but the whole album expresses the same bundle of feelings. The atmosphere is cadaverous, beautifully funeral, disturbing, yet beautiful, rotten as it is. The desperation, the frustration, the anger are expressed in an incredibly artistic manner. I’ll attempt to describe every track.

Track one.

The track starts with an energic atmosphere, similar to death metal, orgasmic guitar riffs that only manage to intrude into your ears like a cascade of sounds, convincing in their violence. Incredibly catchy and addictive, the textures are amazingly rough. I can personally associate this with a Heaven Shall Burn passage. It rushes so neatly. As the sound cools forward, a brutal scream only amplifies the unit, but only to mellow out sooner or later with vocals that seem so priest-like and choral, almost sacred in their vibration. The doomish atmosphere starts heightening its contrast, the sounds pour slowly, a simple guitar solo, maddening as it takes over, resonating, vibrating with a slight echo. The feelings change into a similar black metal chaotic mix. It settles with more brutal vocals, terrifying. Yet, in this whole paradox, the following textures sound almost medieval, viking, folk elements present, only to mold into the same outburst of brutality. The harmony is amazing. I can only picture a fortress, humid, dark and frightening. The repetitive, deadly.. or should I say deathly part appears again. The sounds become black metal-ish soon enough, technical, almost similar to …And Oceans, the textures are dirty, groovy, heavy. They drip into a slow rain-like passage, relaxing in its simplicity.. Like the fall of an angel, like a drop of reluctance.. Repetitive, yet convincing, similar to Shape of Despair. Funeral, entirely absorbing, drums beating in announcements, I’d say. The melody isn’t fragmented. The silent, yet completely overwhelming passages mingle with the Darkthrone-like ones.. Hatred is spilling into mellow voices, a melody cooling slower until it echoes out in a quiet end.

Track two.

The second song starts with a vibrating motion, sounds similar to the rattling gurgles of a snake suppurating through emptiness, to a cathedral, to a sacred, yet freaky atmosphere. The silence is massively suggestive.. Then a texture similar to a footstep slams in.. To guide us towards the guitars creeping out a lively sound that keeps increasing in intensity throughout the song.. Hauling into the listener’s veins directly. A deep low growl appears into the sound, the doom metal vocals that never relent pouring their sadness, intense and amazing. They’re convincing even if they’re mediocre, they mold into a scream, as if the ugly has been manipulated into a form of art. The textures are dirty. The rhythm is sad and the drum beats feel as if they’re crying with every harsh pump. Then again, higher tones of vocals protrude, a Finnish accent noticeable in the intonation. It fits perfectly. A sweet moment of silence with acoustic chords settles in. The moments interlace. Calm and unique sounds, yet filled with frustration. Quiet, slow, beautiful. The song takes a sudden turn, a beautiful contrast that draws you in. A voice is rising.. Melodic, macabre, hidden growls melt into the background. The atmosphere shapes like a castle, with angelic voices creeping into nothingness, followed by demonic screams, all of it in a plash of desperation, like a crowd of people that melts into void.

Track three.

Beautiful from the first chords. Calm and similar to an orchestra, silenced out by pinches of chords. The sound is culminating. The guitar sounds traditional, melting into an almost Brasilian perfection. It reminds me of a forest. The darkness shows up, covering the entirety of images. A rough passage bursts, only to disperse in pure, acoustic guitar and a saddened voice, a hymn of despair. But it’s melancholic, like a man with a withered life, gagging with tears and gulps of alcohol, it’s how it resonates in my ears. The silence that follows is beautiful, suggestic religious doubt. Whispers, contrabass getting the shape of a delicious agony, amplified in a menacing passage, screamed out in anger. It calms down like ancient columns, with spitted attempts of vocals, as if the vocal chords are forcing sounds out.. The guitars sing high sounds. A lounge-like silence finds its way in the song, it takes another beautiful, impressive turn. Acoustic sounds, angelic vibrations, whispers, rushed black metal.. Depressive. A marvelous fullness. Also, it gets the form of something somewhat similar to Amesoeurs, post-rock shades, without the vocals. The vocals are angry and dark. The drums become fast.. And faster.. Only to switch to the same calm, to choir-like vocals, simple guitar chords.. And then, silence.

Monotonous, but beautiful.

Rating: 8 / 10

Muhmood & Ego Ex Nihil – Fictive Planets

posted by Zamo on July 29, 2010

Artist: Muhmood & Ego Ex Nihil
Release Date: 01.08.2010
Country: Russia
Genre: Dark Ambient / Post Metal

Muhmood and Ego Ex Nihil are two musicians from Russia. This is a pure online collaboration – in 2007 Muhmood was browsing some music forums and after listening to Ego Ex Nihil’s Noise Therapy suggested to make some music together. The first idea of the collaboration was for some music based on ambient minimal noise, later on after they managed to know each other they decided to mix in some heavy metal into it, both taking interest in doom metal and black ambient .
Here we have the result of this collaboration and its called “Fictive Planets”, a Dark Ambient / Post Metal with some doom influences. Still i must say that the predominant genre in this album is the “dark ambient” sound.

This music will completely immerse you in a dark ambient world. The image created by this songs, I tell you one thing, its not bright. Imagine yourself, all alone, walking down some long dark corridors, seeing just some flicker light and hearing just your footsteps and some drops of water dripping down from some broken pipes. Well, for me this is exactly how the dark ambient part of Muhmood & Ego Ex Nihil looks like.

Right from the first song of the album it brings you right where it wants you to be. 7 minutes of dark atmosphere, 7 minutes of claustrophobic feeling and then all of a suddent the guitar kicks in, taking you directly to the “doom chamber”. The album continues its path with dark and rather creepy intros, some acoustic guitar, harsh riffs and minutes of atmospheric keyboards that do not bring any relaxation to this atmosphere.

Tracklist:

1. Lunar Knots
2. Admetos
3. Achromatic
4. Deserted Mass
5. Lilith Amorpho
6. Surya
7. Kronos & Apollo
8. Priapus
9. Hades

Take a special listen to: Lunar Knots / Lilith Amorpho / Surya / Hades

P.S: If your not into dark ambient music, it would be a good advice to listen them at night with the lights on, trully Muhmood & Ego Ex Nihil can creat some dark atmosphere trough their music. Take a listen to this album if you’re a fan of dark music, heavy doom guitar riffs and some melodic acoustic parts too. BEWARE: no vocals.

Uaral – Sounds of Pain

posted by Zamo on June 23, 2010

UARAL started its journey back in 1997 when they released a demo called simple “Uaral” and they embraced the doom metal genre with some strong folk influences. Even if the metal scene from Chile is somewhat unknown for many, this South American country managed to bring some great doom metal names to the scene (like: Mar de Grises, Aura Hiemis, Lapsus Dei, Mourners Lament, etc) . It is an up and coming scene that everyone should take note of.

The very first full lenght album “Sounds of Pain” was recorded August 2003 and it was released later on in 2005 by Lost Horizon Records. First pressing was released as a digipack featuring an early demo version of “Surrendered to the Decadence” as bonus track.

“Sounds of Pain” consists of a mixture of Doom and Folk Metal, a mixture that really manages to highlight the true state of melancholy, depression and loneliness. Heavy riffs, tortured vocals, lyrics full of beauty, loneliness, sorrow backup the doom metal genre and the traditional instruments bring a small taste of folk metal that reminds you of Empyrium.

UARAL managed to produce a very atmospheric music journey in “Sounds Of Pain”. You can find in this album moments full of beauty, sadness, despair … all in one. There are songs that gives you the feeling that you’re in the distant lands of Chile, enjoying moments like you’re escaping from this real world. Also, compared to the nostalgic and calm songs, there are moments of despair and sorrow, as if your world is crashing down around you.

They managed to use a wide range of instruments, from wood instruments, acoustic guitar, acoustic parts to electric quitar. Vocals are varied, clean vocals to low pitched growls take place throughout the album. In the album and also in the song “Sounds of Pain” you can sense the perfect use of guitars and acoustics. The sound of the rain and thunder, along with the wind and acoustic instruments play a major part in creating the perfect atmosphere to fade away. Variations in style and tempo occur throughout many of their non-acousting songs. Especially during the title track and also Eternal beauty of trees and Depression.

I can say this is my favourite album not only from this band but also in general. It is an album full of melancholy, sadness, acoustic guitars and painful riffs. Don’t let the folk metal scare you, its a perfect match betweetn doom metal and folk metal influence. Highly recommended!

1.Lost 03:34
2.Surrendered To The Decadence 06:34
3.Eternal Beauty Of The Trees 06:01
4.Sounds Of Pain… 19:28
5.Niche 09:30
6.Depresión 05:44
7.La Vaga Esperanza De Ser 05:28
8.Uaral 04:47
Total playing time 01:01:06

9/10