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Genre: Gothic Metal, Doom

Label: Napalm Records

Ah, Draconian. When referring to a law or the application therefor of, it means to be extremely harsh and/or outdated. But when referring to the Swedish gothic doom band, this is most certainly not the case! I wonder if there is an actual correlation between the name they chose and their music? Maybe they sing in the language of the dragons?

As soon as things start moving along, I’m instantly reminded of Battlelore. A tired and overdone comparison I’m sure, but an accurate one at that (Yes, I know that Draconian predates their Finnish label mates by about five years, but I heard Battlelore first so the comparison stands further). Opening track The Drowning Age is a behemoth of steel thorns and rows and rows of severed heads on pikes! Every time I hear the line, “Let’s bring our Gods to the gallows; a new moon will shine on you!” I get the goosebumps!  (Plus, any song that mentions the Chimera is insta-win in my book since it’s my daughter’s name.)

If there’s one thing that Draconian does right in A Rose For The Apocalypse, it’s the darkly romantic mood it casts in both the lyrical and instrumental senses. Elysian Night is an excellent example of this with it’s slow tempo, melodic female vocals (also the best song to just sit and groove on her singing as well) and expertly sectioned synths. The later is something that most bands of this kind of genre tend to overuse or turn into a gimmick. Thankfully, Draconian does not.

However, what they do overuse is they same basic song structure for just about every song on the album. If you don’t mind your gothic doom a little on the repetitive side (and how can you not since it’s another pitfall that these type of bands fall into) then this won’t bug you in the slightest.

Overall: A Rose For The Apocalypse is an extremely enjoyable album. From the depths of the nightmare evoking growls to height of the ethereal lyrics, Draconian drinks from the chalice of awesome!  …even if none of them sound like Sean Connery. (BOOM! Dragonheart reference!)

9/10

Draconian Official

Draconian On Facebook

Draconian On MySpace

Genre: Epic Fantasy Metal
Label: Napalm Records

Finnish fantasy metal pioneers Battlelore return once again to spread their death-infused fantasy metal that seems at times to be based in the gothic metal arena that Napalm Records is famous for.
The album itself is huge in scope, the sound filled to the brim and sometimes overflowing with keyboards and flute with a driving, heavy guitar leading the way.

Kaisa’s vocals are gorgeous and strong, much stronger than many other female vocalists in the genre, even when she’s singing in a softer voice. Tomi’s, however, are just pure strong. His death metal voice is demanding of attention, and he seriously could be in a death metal band by himself if he chose, and I’m sure he’d be really successful.
I think fans of Dimmu Borgir’s majestic offerings would probably like this, same for fans of Eluveitie, Elis, and Draconian.
7 out of 10.

Battlelore on Facebook.

Genres: Death Metal, Doom
Label: Black Art Records

Ukraine’s Apostate don’t screw around with Trapped in a Sleep. The album has a mere twenty second intro, then goes for the face (and body and balls) for a doomed out crushing attack.
Death metal vocals that are a cross between Rogga Johansson’s and Anders Jacobsson’s, with clean vocals that have slightly Ozzy-styled inflections are coupled with a mid-paced death doom. The riffs are insanely heavy, the solos well played and not stale cliches, and the keyboards add a nice atmospheric element, while still being a definite instrument. It’s got the dragging-you-to-the-depths-of-the-ocean heaviness of doom, with the strangling-you-until-you’re-almost-dead-then-kicking-you-the-rest-of-the-way aggression of death metal.
In all, Apostate’s newest outing is a definitely killer event. I’m glad to get to know the band’s work, especially since they’ve been around since 93, with a break up, and now a reformation for Trapped in a Sleep, and an even newer album that has not been released yet. If you’re a doom fan, I definitely think this would be your thing.
I know it’s going to be getting a lot of plays from me.
8 out of 10.

Apostate on Myspace.

Genres: Death Metal, Doom
Label: Candlelight Records

Fuck I love doom, as anyone who’s read this site for awhile can tell you. My favorite album of all time is doom, and it spawned half of the name of the label that Typhon and I run together (Deathless Reality Records). My fourth favorite album of all time is doom too, and now, a new favorite is discovered.
October Tide is a band with tons of history, and only three albums. They formed during a short break-up of Katatonia, founded by Frederik Norrman and Jonas Renske, and they’ve barely done interviews or played live, only keeping a low profile and achieving a real cult status in the underground. And now they’ve released a new album with Candlelight, and it’s awesome.
Musically, it’s very doomy, melancholic and a little bit just plain depressing. But it’s the vocals that really take the front for me. Deep, throaty death/doom vocals, courtesy of Tobias Netzell. It’s perfect for fans of Griftegård, Draconian, and Paradise Lost.
9.5 out of 10.

October Tide on MySpace.

Genres: Blackened Death Metal, Doom
Label: Ossuary Industries, Serpents of Eden

These Texas boys sure do know how to put together a fucking wicked album. It’s got a brutal groove that death metal has to offer, with a fairly blackened veneer over top, and doomy influences to help drag you down into a pit of pessimism.
Mike Swearingen’s voice is fucking intense, a very deep growl that’s  intelligible and doomy, reminding me sometimes of Howard from Five Will Die.  Also, his acoustic guitar work is gorgeous.
Dobber Beverly and James O’Reilly are the backbone, the drummer and bassist respectively. Their interplay is really sweet, especially when Dobber starts playing faster parts while James slows down. These two seem to definitely have a great chemistry together. Dobber is also the synth player, and his work on the keys seem to add a slightly gothic touch to the songs, bringing Draconian to mind, among other bands.
Jeff Cottrell’s guitars are deadly. Riffs that, depending on the song, remind me of Divine Empire and Morbid Angel or The 11th Hour and Moss come out of the speakers to attack and make you pay attention. And raise a beer in a toast while you headbang, of course.
My favorite tracks are “Baphomet’s Throne”, the album’s title track “The Ministers of Lamentation”, and “Ordained Repugnance”.
If I’ve got you interested in getting the album,  but you’ve got no cash, fret not. The guys have released it free of charge as a download from their (very well designed and simple) website.
9 out of 10.

Demoniacal Genuflection’s Official Site.
Demoniacal Genuflection on MySpace.