The Vein - Scouring The Wreckage Of Time (Shadow Kingdom, 2013)

Track Listing:

 Chapter I: The Poisoned Chalice

1. Pale Dawn Rising (7.33)

2. Seeds Of Blasphemy (6.46)

3. Acedia (1.51)

4. The Poisoned Chalice (6.38)

Chapter II: Born Into Grey Domains 

5. The Great Deception (8.22)

6. Carving A Labyrinth Of Despair (13.57)

Synopsis: The Vein is a project created by members of Altar Of Oblivion however, rather than the epic doom that they normally play, the music on "Scouring The Wreckage Of Time" is death/doom metal with a decidedly nineties feel to it, not the type of band usually associated with Shadow Kingdom Records. Thankfully this hasn't been treated as a mere exercise in nostalgia, The Vein reverently pay homage to their chosen style and, whilst it is a relatively simple formula, they do so with aplomb particularly the way they incorporate cleaner guitars and keys in the overall sound to add texture. As this is a combination of two separate recordings there is a slight drop in sound quality for the two songs that were originally released as "Born Into Grey Domains" but this change isn't so pronounced that it has a detrimental effect on the outcome. Shadow Kingdom have recently announced that this won't be repressed so it's well worth visiting their store an acquiring a copy while it is still available.

www.shadowkingdomrecords.com

Sinister Realm - World Of Evil (Shadow Kingdom, 2013)

Track Listing:

1. Dark Angel Of Fate (4.24)
2. Bell Strikes Fear (4.13)
3. World Of Evil (6.21)
4. The Ghosts Of Nevermore (6.52)
5. Prophets Of War (5.10)
6. Cyber Villain (6.17)
7. The Forest Of Souls (1.33)
8. Four Black Witches (8.43)

Synopsis: Sinister Realm return for album number three, sporting one of the best covers you are likely to see this year, and thankfully, when it comes down to it, the music is equally impressive. This is just pure heavy metal, with a subtle injection of doom, not retro by any means but also not overtly modern either. There is also a good balance between slower tracks and more up tempo numbers such as standout "Prophets Of War" all of which are memorable and potent. Overall "World Of Evil" is exactly what you would want from a band in this style, classic metal performed with power and conviction resulting in one of the highlights of the year to date.

www.sinisterrealm.net

My Dying Bride - The Manuscript (Peaceville, 2013)

Track Listing:

1. The Manuscript (6.24)
2. Var Gud Over Er (8.49)
3. A Pale Shroud Of Longing (7.48)
4. Only Tears To Replace Her With (4.20)

Synopsis: I am probably the last person who should try to review something by My Dying Bride, they have long been one of my favourite bands, however I can safely say that their latest release carries on the positive momentum they have been building over their last couple of albums. In some way it is a synopsis of the various forms they have taken over their career, though it is never overtly regressive, and it shows that the dark, gloomy outlook that they have all but perfected is still captivating. There are the heavy riffs, emotive violin and well placed quieter moments that you would come to expect and it is also great to hear some growls making their way to the fore. I could easily get used to this more prolific My Dying Bride, especially if they continue to produce doom of such a high standard.

www.mydyingbride.net

Cathedral - The Last Spire (Rise Above, 2013)

Track Listing:

1. Entrance To Hell (3.15)
2. Pallbearer (12.04)
3. Cathedral Of The Damned (6.01)
4. Tower Of Silence (7.09)
5. Infestation Of Grey Death (9.22)
6. An Observation (10.42)
7. The Last Laugh (0.39)
8. This Body, Thy Tomb (9.07)

Synopsis: As a Cathedral devotee, I must admit that listening to "The Last Spire" raises conflicting emotions. Whilst I have to respect their decision to go out on their own terms I am still sorry to see them bid adieu, particularly when they release an album like this. "The Last Spire" isn't quite the return to their debut that many thought it was to be however it is certainly their doomiest effort for some time and it also offers reminders of the vagaries that marked their esteemed career. Ultimately any existing fan of the band are sure to enjoy this, there are some mighty heavy riffs throughout, and you just can't help but feel that, despite this being their farewell, Cathedral still have much to offer if that wasn't the case.

www.cathedralcoven.com

Indesinence - Vessels Of Light And Decay (Profound Lore, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Flux (0.59)
2. Paradigms (14.10)
3. Vanished Is The Haze (8.22)
4. Communion (6.00)
5. La Madruaga Eterna (4.03)
6. Fading (Further Beyond) (14.48)
7. Unveiled (13.42)

Synopsis: There is an inherent assurance of quality that comes with Profound Lore, even if everything they selectively release isn't to your taste there's no denying their attention to detail. My point? "Vessels Of Light And Decay" looks simply magnificent, the small picture above doesn't do it justice, and the music itself is no less impressive. After an ominous intro this release shows Indesinence to be another fine example of death doom done with conviction, imposing in its sprawling, crushing, miserable weight yet never lacking in substance. It has certainly been a good year for doom and "Vessels Of Light And Decay" stands high on the list.

www.indesinence.co.uk

Evangelist - In Partibus Infidelium (PsycheDOOMelic, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Children Of Doom (7.20)
2. Funeral Mounds (6.47)
3. Doommonger (7.28)
4. Ulterior Gods (6.18)
5. Cthulhu Rising (7.06)
6. Confiteor (6.35)

Synopsis: Poland is a nation more readily associated with death metal yet Evangelist are here to change that with their release "In Partibus Infidelium" (rough translation: "In the lands of unbelievers"). This is epic doom metal that adheres to all the traditions of the style and, whilst it would be difficult to argue originality given the references that readily spring to mind, it is done with aplomb. Evangelist leave little doubt as to who the unbelievers might be, you need only read the tirade on the booklet, but they back this up with a robust interpretation of the style that you can't help but appreciate.

www.facebook.com/evangelistmetal

Evoken - Atra Mors (Profound Lore, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Atra Mors (11.54)
2. Descent Into Chaotic Dream (11.13)
3. A Tenebrous Vision (2.19)
4. Grim Eloquence (9.40)
5. An Extrinsic Divide (10.11)
6. Requies Aeterna (1.59)
7. The Unechoing Dread (9.47)
8. Into Aphotic Devastation (10.07)

Synopsis: Profound Lore could not have chosen better than "Atra Mors" for their 100th release as such a milestone is only enhanced by releasing one of the best albums of the year and the most complete Evoken work in their illustrious career. Whilst this is every part as heavy and bleak as predicted, what really takes "Atra Mors" to the next level is the way each song, indeed the album as a whole, builds over its duration. The lighter moments spread throughout, including the two brief interludes, prove just as potent as the crushing doom, a method that Evoken have long utilised but have truly perfected here. From the outset my expectations for "Atra Mors" were very high yet, somehow, Evoken have exceeded them. Brilliant!

www.facebook.com/pages/Evoken-Official/91505789372

(EchO) - Devoid Of Illusions (BadMoodMan, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Intro (0.45)
2. Summoning The Crimson Soul (7.29)
3. Unforgiven March (9.23)
4. The Coldest Land (9.08)
5. Internal Morphosis (9.17)
6. Omnivoid (8.23)
7. Disclaiming My Faults (7.22)
8. Once Was A Man (6.44)
9. Sounds From Out Of Space (7.26)

Synopsis: The initial impression of (EchO) is that they are a fairly traditional death/doom band however as "Devoid Of Illusions", their debut album, progresses the band reveal a greater scope to their sound than it might have first seemed. There is no doubt the aforementioned death/doom provides the basis for their music but there are a lot of lighter moments, based around clean vocals and guitars, atmospheric keyboards and even some thick grooves that are more Meshuggah than My Dying Bride. "Devoid Of Illusions" is a precocious release that contains a lot of depth and it reveals (EchO) as a new band with a great deal of potential.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/EchO/141116903052

Ereb Altor - Gastrike (Napalm, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. The Gathering Of Witches (5.39)
2. Dance Of Darkness (6.19)
3. Dispellation (6.41)
4. Boatman's Call (5.38)
5. The Mistress Of Wisdom (8.25)
6. I Djupet Sa Svart (6.15)
7. Seven (6.11)

Synopsis: The unassuming artwork that adorns the latest Ereb Altor release belies the stylistic change that their music has undergone since their previous album "The End". Ereb Altor have become far darker and more aggressive and, whilst the clear references to Bathory remain present, there is also a greater incorporation of black metal that makes "Gastrike" sound very different from its predecessor. That isn't to say it is a bad thing, it is done so well there is little room for complaint, and the epic doom that Ereb Altor do so well is still present throughout meaning that, initial surprises aside, "Gastrike" is sure to be one of the better albums of the year.

www.facebook.com/ErebAltorOfficial

Officium Triste / Ophis - Immersed (Memento Mori, 2012)

Track Listing:

Officium Triste

1. Repent (6.16)
2. Bittersweet Memories (10.57)

Ophis

3. Storm Of Shards (10.23)
4. The Mirthless (12.26)

Synopsis: This split features two doom bands that I have listened to for some time, Officium Triste from Holland and Ophis from Germany, both of which have differing takes on the style. Of the two, Officium Triste are the more melancholic as each of their songs are built around keyboards and gloomy melodies that convey emotion and loss. Ophis, on the other hand, are less refined yet far more crushing as they rely less on melody and more on slow, primal riffing that gives a sense of anger and frustration rather than melancholy. I don't buy too many split releases but this was one I had to have and it was well worth the investment.

http://www.officiumtriste.com/

http://www.ophisdoom.de/

Ahab - The Giant (Napalm, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Further South (8.55)
2. Aeons Elapse (12.44)
3. Deliverance (Shouting At The Dead) (7.52)
4. Antarctica (The Polymorphess) (11.45)
5. Fathoms Deep Below (9.07)
6. The Giant (10.36)
7. Time's Like Molten Lead (11.02)

Synopsis: Admittedly, despite my love of doom, I haven't managed to invest in the two previous releases by Ahab so their latest, "The Giant", is my first encounter with their music and it is certainly a positive one. They have taken a different direction with the artwork on this one, gone are the classic nautical paintings that adorned their previous works, which is a big change for sure. Ahab manage to create doom that can, like the ocean that serves as their subject matter, be quiet one minute and angry the next wrapped an organic production that suits it perfectly. With such intelligent song writing "The Giant" is a doom album with a difference and tangible depth. 

http://www.ahab-doom.de/

Skon - ...At The End Of A Journey... (Hexencave, 2010)

Track Listing:

1. Forever Lost (9.06)

2. Hopeless Words (7.10)

3. Cold Ways (5.12)

4. At The End Of A Journey (7.19)

Synopsis: This one man project from Slovakia is built around a staunch devotion to classic Katatonia and "...At The End Of A Journey..." does, to it's credit, sound like a decent replication of that sound albeit with a bit of doom and black metal thrown into the mix. If anything the cover of "Cold Ways" is the most disappointing song on the CD largely due to the mediocre guest vocalist however, putting that aside, the music here does have that downcast feeling and melodic air that gives the three (un)original compositions some degree of merit.

Rote Mare - Serpents Of The Church (Altsphere, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Serpents Of The Church (11.15)
2. Crossroads (10.36)
3. Slow Decay (Sonic Mantra) (7.55)
4. Funeral Song (14.35)
5. The Martyr (12.35)
6. In Dooms Name (The Chosen Ones) (7.33)
7. Children Of The Sabbath (11.50)

Synopsis: Rote Mare worship at the altar of traditional doom metal and, as certain song titles would indicate, they do this with clear conviction. Whilst the song lengths might scare off the uninitiated Rote Mare do mix things up from the slow, heavy riffing that one would expect to groovier passages and some downright aggressive moments and it is this variation, always within the scope of their chosen style, that makes "Serpents Of The Church" such a fine doom metal album. The band states that "Doom metal is true metal" and a couple of listens to this album might just convince you they are right.

http://www.rotemaredoom.com/

Paradise Lost - Tragic Idol (Century Media, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Solitary One (4.08)

2. Crucify (4.07)

3. Fear Of Impending Hell (5.24)

4. Honesty In Death (4.07)

5. Theories From Another World (5.02)

6. In This We Dwell (3.54)

7. To The Darkness (5.09)

8. Tragic Idol (4.34)

9. Worth Fighting For (4.11)

10. The Glorious End (5.23)

Synopsis: Following Paradise Lost over the years has been an interesting ride yet "Tragic Idol" sees this venerable institution rediscovering their classic sound without regressing or plagiarising themselves. There is no doubt that "Tragic Idol" is regularly reminiscent of "Icon" or "Draconian Times", particularly in the trademark guitar harmonies and solos, but that isn't to say that there isn't anything new to offer. It's great to hear some of the morose doom that really made Paradise Lost so important to metal in the nineties and there is also a subtle injection of atmosphere as well. After such a long, and at times varied, career it is reassuring to hear that Paradise Lost are still capable of producing great heavy music.

http://www.paradiselost.co.uk/

Inverloch - Dusk Subside (Relapse, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Within Frozen Beauty (7.13)
2. The Menin Road (6.21)
3. Shadows Of The Flame (8.44)

Synopsis: Disembowelment were such a great band, and a major part of my initiation into doom, so it was a foregone conclusion that I would be purchasing the first release of Inverloch, a band with strong ties to that group. In light of this connection and pedigree I can gladly say that "Dusk Subside" is exactly what I hoped to hear. Whilst there are obviously clear links to Disembowelment in the slower, doomier moments it wouldn't be fair to only view them in this context as Inverloch are an entity in their own right. Dark, heavy and aggressive these three songs show so much promise and the only possible gripe is the duration, or lack thereof, so I can only hope that there will be more to come, sooner rather than later.

www.facebook.com/InverlochOfficial

Anguish - Through The Archdemon's Head (Dark Descent, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. (Intro) Through The Archdemon's Head (2.40)

2. Book Of Fox (5.58)

3. When The Ancients Dare To Walk (6.05)

4. Dawn Of Doom (8.55)

5. Lair Of The Gods (6.49)

6. Illusive Damnation (6.45)

7. The Veil (8.06)

8. Morbid Castle (11.37)

Synopsis: Despite sporting one of the more disappointing covers I have seen in some time, and an even stranger concept behind it, this is an excellent album of traditional doom metal that owes a great deal of debt to early Candlemass. Anguish play doom that follows the rules but there is also a raw, sinister feel with vocals more akin to Quorthon than Messiah that gives them a sense of identity despite this adherence to tradition. It might not appeal to those without a love for doom metal but for the initiated there is a lot to like about "Through The Archdemon's Head".

www.myspace.com/anguishdoommetal



Swallow The Sun - Emerald Forest And The Blackbird (Spinefarm, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Emerald Forest And The Blackbird (9.57)

2. This Cut Is The Deepest (5.20)

3. Hate, Lead The Way! (6.13)

4. Cathedral Walls (6.47)

5. Hearts Wide Shut (5.55)

6. Silent Towers (4.01)

7. Labyrinth Of London (Horror pt. IV) (8.29)

8. Of Death And Corruption (5.00)

9. April 14th (8.28)

10. Night Will Forgive Us (6.41)

Synopsis: It has been interesting to read the some of the reviews of "Emerald Forest And The Blackbird" which, whilst generally positive, often comment on the direction that has been taken. On listening to the album it seems like a logical continuation of the direction that Swallow The Sun have been taking over their last few releases. There is a great deal of light and shade to the music, as shown by the first single "Cathedral Walls", but Swallow The Sun haven't forsaken doom metal so there is nothing to fear in that regard. I have no doubt this will be one of my favourite albums come years end.

http://www.swallowthesun.net/

The Fall Of Every Season - From Below (Aftermath, 2007)

Track Listing:

1. From Below (11.53)

2. Sisyphean (4.27)

3. The Triumphant Beast (12.35)

4. Escape Of The Dove (3.39)

5. Her Withering Petals (15.12)

Synopsis: The Fall Of Every Season is the work of one man, Marius Strand, and it is a commendable first effort of melancholic doom metal. What really stands out the most is his propensity for including lighter moments throughout that contrast with the more traditional doom metal which is equal parts light and shade. These mellower parts are extremely well done and they add a breadth to "From Below" that shows a great deal of promise for the follow up, "Amends", which will hopefully arrive soon via Grau.

http://www.thefallofeveryseason.com/

  

Morito Ego Sum - Moonchild (Independent, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Behind These Tears (8.08)

2. When The Grass Grows Over Me (8.13)

3. This Selfish Act (9.05)

4. Moonchild (5.34)

Synopsis: Some fine gothic doom metal from this Swedish band that sounds like a refined mixture of Candlemass and mid-period My Dying Bride, in no small part due to the vocals and inclusion of violin. Each of the songs sound immense and there are some quite memorable guitar melodies that balance the heavy riffing. Whilst the title track is a King Crimson cover and "Moonchild" tends to stay within the expected norms for a doom band, Morito Ego Sum still have their own take on the style with a palpable sense of melancholy and reverence.

www.moritoergosum.com

Cultus Sanguine - Cultus Sanguine (Wounded Love, 1995)

Track Listing:

1. Richiamo In Rosso (1.38)

2. Ride The Winds Of Hate (5.44)

3. My Journey Is Long But My Time Is Endless (6.22)

4. Into The Field Of Screaming Souls (7.21)

Synopsis: Cultus Sanguine are one of those bands that were only around for a brief time and aren't well known but I have long found them an intriguing proposition. Their unique sound combined elements of black, doom and gothic metal into a hybrid that really doesn't sound like any other band I can think of. Whilst they were certainly not overly aggressive, quite the opposite, there is a creepy atmosphere to their music that more than compensates for this lack of aggression and it is these sinister undertones that made Cultus Sanguine such an interesting band.