Took some time off to handle personal things but now I'm back! This week I'm bringing you all some epic and heavy-as-hell Doom Metal records to jam out to, so let's get started!
Concilium - No Sanctuary (2019)
Epic Doom Metal act Concilium released their debut album, No Sanctuary, back in 2019 and it is a dramatic, heavy, chilling record that captures the essence of its title and album artwork. The music sprawls out as a vast landscape that one must travel endlessly in hope of finding their own sanctuary. No Sanctuary leads its audience into some brooding, climactic, doom metal lead by Paris Thibault's haunting vocals that come together beautifully. Once you hit the 5-minute mark in the opening/title track, you will completely understand the full power of her voice paired with the epic, undulating riffs that topple you like stormy winds. The first and the final track are more "song-like" (I don't know how else to put that) in their wholistic songwriting approach and usage of repetition in riffs and choruses, but the two tracks in between them are a lawless landscape of instrumentation that expands their sound tremendously and to great effect. For an album comprised of 4 tracks, you get a great amount of music and are transported to this desolate landscape for 31 minutes. My only complaints are that at times the production feels a touch lacking in providing some heft to the instruments, so it feels like Paris's vocals aren't being matched well enough. I also wish there were some more songs/moments in the vain of the opening track, I feel there's so much climactic energy in that track alone and the rest of the songs pale in comparison. However, those critiques aside, Concilium are definitely a band to keep a watchful eye on, having only released a demo back in 2015 and then dropping this amazing record on us, I can only imagine what they'll release next!
Artist: Concilium
Album: No Sanctuary
Label: Independent
Rating: 6.5/10
Crypt Dweller - The Forbidden Black Arts (2020)
Rising from the dead to enchant us all with ghastly riffs and ghoulish tales comes Crypt Dweller, a solo project from the mind and talents of Brandon "Corvus" Cundiff. Their first full length album, The Forbidden Black Arts, is an interesting offering of epic doom metal that blends in elements of black metal, dungeon synth, and death/doom. Underneath the layers, however, this album's blueprints are based in a ton of Candlemass worship, that makes itself even more apparent with the cover of the song "A Sorcerer's Pledge" towards the end of the album. The album is based in a moderate tempo that keeps chugging forward and keeps your head banging while the gruff black metal inspired vocals spin tales of 17th century horror that infect the mind. Corvus has steeped this album in a dark, campy, and lively atmosphere, utilizing lots of audio clips, narration, and Wallachian Cobwebs-style dark ambience that sets the tone at the start of the album. This is an album derived from a passion of both the metal and classic horror genres respectively and it shows, it is a fun and kickass record (although not perfect in its production and execution at times) full of great chugging riffs backed by a fuzzy, chunky mix. Crypt Dweller has plenty of material on their bandcamp right now, so if you dig this I encourage you to listen to the rest of what they have to offer!
Artist: Crypt Dweller
Album: The Forbidden Black Arts
Label: Independent
Rating: 6/10
Desolate Realm - Desolate Realm (2021)
Desolate Realm, the doom metal duo hailing from Finland, have released a crushing self-titled album this year that displays a solid blend of doom metal, sludge, power metal and heavy metal. This album sounds colossal, the echoing vocals and instrumentation make you feel like you're being swallowed by a cavernous void. The guitar-work creates the perfect atmosphere of adventure and treachery, bringing media such as Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and Dungeons & Dragons to mind as the songs unravel before you. Matias's gruff mid-ranged vocals paired with the sludge-tinged guitar tones remind me of High on Fire and Mastodon, then suddenly they introduce these high-pitched 1980's-style operatic vocals that soar overhead while Olli's powerful thrash-inspired drums pummel away and Desolate Realm really becomes their own. Although the album maintains a consistent pace for the most part, the duo understands when to slow down and speed up when the moment is just right, ramping up the tension or taking a moment to focus on the spaced out, meditated instrumentation. This album comes with plenty of heavy metal and doom metal riffs, solos, and epic, slamming drums to keep your blood pumping. Desolate Realm has a lot to offer in this first full length, so needless to say I am absolutely stoked about whatever may come next from these guys, and you should be too!
Artist: Desolate Realm
Album: Desolate Realm
Label: Independent
Rating: 7/10