Füneral Rain Press Cörps

Genre: Doom
Label: Napalm Records

Coming out next month, Lacrima Mortis (translates to Tear of Death) is the second offering from the Dutch doom mastermind Ed Warby, who is showing not only songwriting growth, but also a penchant for crushing the life out of the listener in a blissful, cathartic way.
Slow, plodding riffs that are heavier than death itself are, naturally, the main course in this feast for the ears. Piano, however, comes to play quite a bit in The 11th Hour’s sound, as does the occasional sample. Ed’s singing is even more exceptional on Lacrima Mortis, with a greater range than what was found on the debut album Burden of Grief.
The “newcomer” to the band is Pim Blankenstein, who has been the death growler for the live band since the release of Burden of Grief. He is replacing Rogga Johansson, who was only present on the debut. Pim’s work on Lacrima Mortis is great, his style of growls complimenting Ed’s clean singing even more so than Rogga (who did a fucking killer job himself). He sounds like he would be a monster on the live stage.
At the end of it all, after the headbanging and the fist pumping and the beer swilling, Lacrima Mortis stands as an album that can also be listened to with headphones and introspection; it an album that will stand monolithic, for me, for years to come. If you like your doom metal to be heavy, melodic, and just plain beautiful, get your hands on Lacrima Mortis, and if you haven’t yet, Burden of Grief as well. Both discs are the beginnings of what I feel could be a doom band that stands on the same ground as Saint Vitus, Trouble, Cathedral, and the mighty Black Sabbath. All they need is the fans to truly pay attention and support.
10 out of 10.

The 11th Hour 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: 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.

Genres: Doom, Viking Metal
Label: Napalm Records

“…My soul cannot rest…”
The End is so damn good. Doomy as hell, but not the plodding variety. The faster, more Black Sabbath-tinged variety that’s heavy as hell. Think The 11th Hour or November’s Doom.
I just realized as I typed that that The 11th Hour and Ereb Altor are label mates. Damn those people at Napalm sure know how to pick ‘em.
Anyway, like I was saying, this is a damn good album. It’s got the doom going on, as well as the Viking metal sound, something like a heavier Tyr or a less death metal Amon Amarth.
If you’re a fan of any of the bands I’ve just mentioned, you might want to check out Ereb Altor. The band, for your own info, consists of Ragnar and Mats, the two gents behind Isole’s doomy anthems, and traces its origins to pre-Isole under the name Forlorn, in the 90′s.
8 out of 10.

Ereb Altor on MySpace.

Genres: Ambient, Doom, Drone
Label: Bindrune Recordings

So here’s another review for Bindrune Recordings, a label that instantly became a favorite of mine the second I heard Wodensthrone’s Loss (review).
When I got the opportunity to review the new Blood of the Black Owl, I was fairly excited. And with reason. This is a well regarded band, on a well regarded label.
But when I started to listen to A Banishing Ritual, I must admit, I was a little disappointed. It seemed, at first, just like any other ambient/drone album. 41 minutes of the same shit does get tiring even for me.
Then it got to the 13 minute and 14 or so second mark. And that’s when I really took notice. It’s like Blood of the Black Owl decided to weed out the asshats for fifteenish minutes, and whoever is left listening to the rest will be blown away.
This is one of the finest examples of this kind of music I’ve heard so far. Haunting vocals and some of the doomiest riffs and gorgeous soundscapes follow.
I love it.
Apparently it’s for fans of Ruhr Hunter, The Elemental Chrysalis (both of those bands feature members of Blood of the Black Owl), Neurosis, Celtic Frost, and Swans. But I think fans of My Dying Bride, November’s Doom, The 11th Hour, and Moss will find something to A Banishing Ritual that they enjoy as well.
7.5 out of 10.