Worship - Dooom (Endzeit Elegies, 2007)

Track Listing:

1. Endzeit Elegy (8.38)

2. All I Ever Knew Is Dead (8.24)

3. The Altar And The Choir Of The Moonkult (8.11)

4. Graveyard Horizon (9.41)

5. Zorn A Rust-Red Scythe (8.06)

6. Devived (8.17)

7. Mirror Of Sorrow (9.44)

8. I Am The End - Crucifixion Part II (11.50)

Synopsis: It has taken some time for me to obtain a copy of this CD but persistence certainly pays off and it was well worth the effort. Worship are one of the bleakest funeral doom bands you are likely to hear however, despite their minimalist outlook, they do manage to incorporate  embellishments such as deep, clean vocals, melodic leads, choirs and piano that add some degree of respite from the generally oppressive atmosphere. "Dooom" certainly isn't an easy listening experience by any measure but, like all good doom albums, it remains steeped in palpable misery which, given the history of the band, comes as no surprise.

http://www.worshipdoom.wordpress.com/

www.myspace.com/worshipdoom

Blood Red Throne - Brutalitarian Regime (Sevared, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Brutalitarian Regime (2.53)

2. Graveworld (3.30)

3. Trapped, Terrified, Dead (4.53)

4. Eternal Decay (4.14)

5. Games Of Humiliation (4.17)

6. The Burning (3.59)

7. Proliferated  Unto Hemophobia (4.24)

8. Melena (4.16)

9. Parnassian Cacoepy (5.09)

10. Twisted Truth (3.47)

Synopsis: It's business as usual for Blood Red Throne, if you've heard any of their releases you'll know what to expect, however signing to Sevared Records seems to have had a positive influence as "Brutalitarian Regime" is their most consistent effort to date. The songs are strong and they appear to have realised the potential hinted at previously. The Pestilence cover to round off the album is a nice touch as well.

Einherjer - Norron (Indie, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. Norron Kraft (12.54)

2. Naglfar (5.11)

3. Alu Alu Laukar (2.51)

4. Varden Brenne (6.19)

5. Atter Pa Malmtings Blodige Voll (8.13)

6. Balladen Om Bifrost (5.50)

Synopsis: Despite the fact that Einherjer have been in existence since 1993, give or take a few years, and have released a four albums in that period "Norron" is the first of their releases I have actually bought. This could be because I have never been the biggest follower of "Viking Metal" but I have come away impressed with what they have come up with here. Whilst their music is based upon traditonal riffs and themes they have also incorporated epic elements throughout, particularly in opener "Norron Kraft" which is the best song on the album. It took a few listens to fully appreciated but, in the end, "Norron" is one of the better releases I have heard in this stye.

http://www.einherjer.com/

www.myspace.com/einherjermusic

Morbus Chron - Sleepers In The Rift (Pulverised, 2011)



Track Listing:

1. Through The Gaping Gate/Coughing In A Coffin (3.51)

2. Creepy Creeping Creep (3.54)

3. Hymns To A Stiff (3.16)

4. Red Hook Horror (3.32)

5. The Hallucinating Dead (3.33)

6. Ways Of Torture (3.05)

7. Dead Body Pile Necrophile (2.51)

8. Lidless Coffin (4.31)

9. Deformation Of The Dark Matter (6.12)

Synopsis: I have been eagerly anticipating the release of this CD and it certainly delivers. Morbus Chron are undoubtedly old school death metal, dirty and raw, and they are not afraid to introduce doomier moments or groove amongst their unhinged brutality. You can't help but feel that there is also an element of tongue in cheek humour at work here, a deranged one, and the vibrant cover art certainly stands out from their death metal brethren. At just over half an hour it's all too brief but one of my favourite albums of the year regardless.

www.myspace.com/morbuschronband

www.facebook.com/morbuschron

Spires - Spiral Of Ascension (Independent, 2010)

Track Listing:

1. Equilibrium (6.47)

2. The Infinite Descent (6.36)

3. Nightfall (2.17)

4. Broken Hourglass (13.34)

5. Symmetry (4.54)

6. Martyr (10.32)

7. Spiral Of Ascension (14.36)

8. A New Prayer (5.54)

Synopsis: There is no denying that Spires are heavily influenced by Opeth, albeit a less seventies prog influenced Opeth, but that doesn't detract from what they have come up with on "Spiral Of Ascension". Spires are bursting with ideas and have the execution to match, they are progressive but also aggressive utilising quieter acoustics in conjunction with deathlier moments. Given that they have released this themselves it is impressive what they have managed to achieve, you can see the attention to detail, and it's certainly deserving of attention.

www.myspace.com/spiresmetal

Oracle - As Darkness Reigns (Massacre Records, 1993)

Track Listing:

1. Prisoner (Of Your Own Soul) (8.11)

2. Nightmares (6.41)

3. No Faith for The Liar (9.01)

4. As Darkness Reigns (6.54)

5. Paradise (On The Edge Of The World) (4.35)

6. Knights Of The Round Table (7.10)

7. The Watcher (6.29)

8. Prodigy (8.28)

9. In The End (3.48)

Synopsis: This is the one and only album that Oracle released and, to be honest, I knew nothing about the band when I bought it. Fortunately it is quite a good release melding thrash and early ninties progressive metal, Massacre describe used the descriptors progressive power and melody which aren't too far off the mark. Based around a talented guitarist in Kent Smedley, who provides some solid riffs and impressive soloing, Oracle were also fortunate to have a strong vocalist in William Wren who possesses a decent range. Sure, it's not perfect, as you can see above the songs are generally quite lengthy, but this is still well worth investigating.

Immaculate - Atheist Crusade (Stormspell Records, 2010)

Track Listing:

1. Cross Of Nero (5.18)

2. Thrashark (4.47)

3. The Immaculate Dead (4.50)

4. Sanity's Eclipse / Steel Of The Missionary (8.39)

5. Atheist Crusade (8.42)

6. Thrash Metal Avenger (3.45)

7. The Apparition (5.48)

8. Gutterthrash (5.12)

Synopsis: There are obviously a lot of thrash bands out there these days, new and old, but Immaculate have certainly managed to develop their own identity. Their thrash is quite technical, at times it's almost frenzied, and the high pitched vocals might take some getting used to. It is clear that Immaculate have taken a different path to most and their decision to include a Fates Warning cover, "The Apparition", is also very telling. If you are familiar with Toxik then that's as good a comparison as any, "Atheist Crusade" is well worth a listen.