Doomed For Metal Reviews

Below The Frostline is a doom metal project from musician AP, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The latest release is the full-length album “ Slowly Dissolving .”  The project has also released a self-titled debut and an EP. The album sets firmly on the funeral doom side of the genre and is also highly atmospheric.  The lyrics deal with the interesting concept of “dissolving the need of hope,” by aiming to provide a sense of calm when pitted against the grander schemes of cosmic collapse.  This speaks to me, as I have always tried to accept things as they are and strive to maintain an understanding of “what is..is.”  I’m not always successful but the album’s depth is well worth exploring, whether you agree with its notions or not.  This doom exactly how I like it:  slow as fuck, low as hell, and heavy as life itself.  It doesn’t get in a hurry, instead letting the atmospheric tendencies.  The songs unfurl themselves like the passing of time: steady bu...

Deogen is a black metal band from the United States who hit the scene in 2020 with their first full length album, “ The Endless Black Shadows of Abyss .”  Their latest release is their second full-length album “ The Graves and Ghosts of Yore .” Spoiler alert:  This is now one of my favorite black metal albums of the year.  I want to start this review by praising the production because it sounds flat out amazing, especially for black metal.  It’s over produced or too clean but it’s very, very balanced so the mix shines just as much.  I don’t know if I’ve heard a better sounding album in the genre this year than this one.  I suppose their sound could be described as atmospheric or even symphonic, but I don’t think that paints the entire picture here, with the exception of the opening instrumental song “ Pernicious Prayer .”  Those elements, while definitely there, are more subtle than anything and are used very smartly.  This is still riff based, w...

Oromet is a funeral doom band from Sacramento, California who formed in 2022.  They have wasted little time in getting their music out there— “ The Sinking Isle ,” is their second full-length album.  I didn’t review their previous album but enjoyed it quite a bit—this one is even better.  The themes of the album focus on the inevitably of collapse and the cycles of ruin and rebirth.  In essence, it focuses on the ebb and flow of life and events—some of which we can control but most we cannot.  Much like its themes, the music contained within is dynamic as it travels its way through its emotions and musical terrain that’s oftentimes so heavy that it feels like a physical weight upon the ears.  I do like how melodic the album is–but it isn’t overly melodic but more like subtle leanings that help expand the oppressive moments.   “ The Sinking Isle ,” is an oddly hopeful album at times.  In the end, I find it is much like existence:  there are m...

Weft is a blackened death metal project from Panopticon ’s Charlie Anderson .  Together with Austin Lunn (also involved with Panopticon ), Andrea Morgan and Jordan Day the full-length album “ The Splintered Oar ,” is ready to debut.  And what an album it is!  The usage of violin in metal is commonplace but rarely have I heard it used so effectively and efficiently than on “ The Splintered Oar .”  It isn’t just there to compliment the heavier aspects—the album simply couldn’t exist without it any more than it could the other instruments.  Although this firmly into an extreme metal foundation, the violin adds a layer of reality and classical approach to the blackened death giving the album a unique feel because it exists in two different worlds even as it successfully combines them together. The production makes it all shine; each detail is clear and concise—I can almost feel the sinews of the songs hold everything together and the formation and passing of each c...

Doubtsower is a one-man-band from Cardiff (Wales, UK) that plays experimental doom. The latest release is “ The Past Melts Away With A Snear ,” and it is the fourth full-length album. The musician behind all this is Matt Strangis, who also happens to play bass for the legendary Pantheist . Additionally, he produces experimental electronic music under the alias Kyam. I reviewed the previous full-length album “ Nothing Reduced To Everything ” a couple years ago and praised it for its unquestionably unique vision. “ The Past Melts Away With A Snear ,” is just as far reaching. Its tendrils spiral out from a doom foundation and grasp hold of unique sounds across an unconventional structure. The phrase “There is nothing new under the sun,” isn't something Doubtsower knows anything about.  This time it comes in the form of one long song, just under 49 minutes in length. Some may balk at that but if you're a true fan of doom or prog, the length won't bother you. Besides, this s...

Tales of Mike is a one-man metal project from Germany, formed in 2022 by musician Mike Heß. The band plays a style of old school laced metal that combines epic metal and doom. After a slew of singles, a demo, and an EP, Mike is ready to drop the debut album “ Human .” I wasn’t sure of what to expect from this album, mostly due to the oddly titled name for the project but the PR company that sent it to me is a pretty good one so I figured why not check it out?   Definitely glad I did. “ Human ” is a rock solid album that I had a lot of fun listening to—from start to finish it doesn’t miss and is on point with the combination of its styles. The production is fantastic—clear, crisp, but captures every cleverly written note without sacrificing too much of the heaviness and doominess. Is that a word? It is now.   After an interesting intro song, “ Nomen Est Omen ,” that introduces the album, the album kicks into high gear with “ Nevermore .” This song begins with k...

Doomherre is a Swedish doom metal band who formed in 2021. Their latest release “ Plaguelords ” is their second full-length album. I reviewed their debut “ Bonegoat ” a couple years ago for Metal Temple; I found it to be an impressive debut so does Doomherre continue their upward march or do they fall into the sophomore slump? Short story? They are better than ever. Long story? Read on. The power trio upgrades their power to massive currents and nonstop surges. “ Plaguelords ,” is more groovy and harder hitting than the debut. However, it is also more melodic when it needs to be–and catchy as hell in places.  The production is much more dynamic and explosive. Each instrument hits loud and true with a lot of weight behind each note. The bass is notable, a constant thunderous performance that boosts the entire band to the next level. The drums are both crisp and sharp—holding down a foundation but making plenty of movements on their own. The vocals are clean but rough when needed ...