Doomed For Metal Reviews

Grimveil is a black metal band with international origins, members hailing from both Sweden and Germany.  It’s actually a duo, composed of vocalist Revenant ( Order of Nosferat , Sarkrista , Siechknecht , Velmorth ) and Simon Lindgren ( Tårfödd ), who handles all the instruments. All these bands are kicking ass so I would assume Grimveil would be too–and my assumptions were correct.  This is an atmospheric black metal which represents a sound inspired by nature.  It has a somber, melancholic feel but not one that’s depressing but one born of respect from the natural world around them and a desire to delve into the earth’s manifestations.  The production is pretty much spot on.  The vocals and instruments retain the blackened tone the genre has become known for, but the mix is vibrant enough to capture the clean passages and atmospheric nuances that exist among these mid-paced stories that also feature more than a few moments of whiplash speed.  It’s a beau...

Ad Finem Omnia is a black metal band from Santiago, Chile who formed in 2020.  It’s actually a one-man project now, featuring musician Pablo Vera   Although their demo debut album, “ No Peace- No Dawn ,” featured Ricardo Araya on bass, guitars, and vocals, this second full-length album, “ Senectus Viae ,” finds Pablo handling everything after Ricard’s departure.   He has taken on the responsibilities exceptionally well—everything that made the first album great is still intact and perhaps even better.    This album has such a driving, forward-motion sound to it but also a keen sense of melancholy and atmosphere.  It’s also filled with hooks—this album is catchier that most black metal.  Obviously, I don’t mean that in a ‘pop oriented’ way but the riffs are slick as hell and the rhythms will get your head banging.  Simply put, these songs are quite memorable. The clean vocals are unique and epic, fitting alongside the blackened screams with ea...

Aphonic Threnody is a funeral doom metal band from the United Kingdom, who formed in 2012.  Their latest release, “ Grace My Heart ,” is their seventh full-length album; they have also released an EP, three splits, and an updated version of their debut full-length album, “ When Death Comes .”  I’ve been following this band since I discovered them when I received the album, “ The Great Hatred ,” for review in 2020 when I worked for Metal Temple.  I’m honored and happy to say that I’ve reviewed every album since.  I mention this fact because when I say, “ Grace My Heart ,” might be the band’s best album, I want it to be known how serious of a statement that is.  The musician behind all this doomed out glory is the mastermind Riccardo V , who, as always, surrounds himself with several other amazing musicians to help get this raw display of emotional power out to the world.  “ Grace My Heart ,” is an album that sounds a bit different from Aphonic Threnody ’s ...

Forsmán is a black metal band from Iceland, who formed in 2019.  Their latest release, “ Brenndar rústir & fuðrandi fjörur ,” is their full-length debut; they have also released an EP. This album is pure fire.  That may be ironic considering where they are from but the energy on display here is impressive as hell. Of course, atmospherically speaking, “ Brenndar rústir & fuðrandi fjörur ,” is cold as the frozen North and retains so much of what makes black metal both distant and dangerous.  However, this is more than just your standard black metal.  This album has a lot going on within it; the nearly 45-minute runtime is very busy and chock full of intricate riffs and dissonance.  What is most impressive is that it doesn’t sound convoluted and the mix is on point.  Despite the chaos that never seems to end, the low end and the rhythms just pop out.  The sound of this album is just straight up MASSIVE.  It’s very primal, it’s raw to a degree...

Rodtgod is a one-man sludge/doom metal band from Germany, who formed in 2016.  The project’s latest release, “ Tales from Beyond the Tomb ,” is their third full-length album; they have also released an EP.  The musician behind this is simply called, as far as I know, C and has a couple other bands ( Galvornhathol , Pissbucket ) that I am not familiar with.  I get a lot of promos—a lot.  Over the years, I have trained myself to know when I need to give up on a particular one or if it feels like a grower.  When I first listened to “ Tales from Beyond the Tomb ,” I liked it but also knew that my feelings on it would probably change because it was obvious this is an album that is a bit different and needs more time to soak in. So, what’s so different about “ Tales …?”  Its feet are definitely firmly planted into death/doom and abrasive sludge.  It’s very heavy with some killer extreme vocals.  With that being said, it doesn’t feel oppressive, caverno...

Umbersound is a one-man doom metal band from Staten Island, New York City, New York, featuring musician Joe D'Angelo (guitarist for Grey Skies Fallen ) on vocals and all the instruments.  The latest release, “ Tracks from the Slither ,” is the project’s third full-length album; two EPs have also been released.  I reviewed the previous album, “If the Flies Could Sing,” and gave it good marks but “ Tracks from the Slither ,” is just as good and maybe even better.  This album continues Joe’s brand of doom that is a little more traditional than what he does in Grey Skies Fallen but no less heavy.  The atmosphere of this album is pretty fucking sinister—-it almost seems horrific, in a way.  Regardless, this is a very dark album with some unnerving moments. What’s interesting about this album is that it almost feels like two different ones.  I find the first half of the album to offer a more direct sound while the last five songs are more atmospheric in tone. ...

Abysmal Growls of Despair is a one-man funeral doom metal band from France that formed in 2014; musician Hangsvart is the mastermind behind the project.  This latest release, “ Torn ,” is his 28th full-length album, among numerous EP’s and splits!  While I do have the second full-length album, “ Dark Days ,” I wasn’t aware there were so many others.  I definitely have some listening to do!  According to the Bandcamp page, “ Torn ,” is an album that explores ‘the emotional landscape of a husband caring for his wife battling cancer.  It is a testament to love and resilience.”   I’m not sure if the husband is Hangsvart , the album was written for a personal acquaintance, or if it's just a story created for the album.  Regardless, this is definitely a very emotional experience.  I like the idea that the album doesn’t necessarily focus only on the despair and hopelessness that cancer so obviously brings but rather the human spirit that can still thriv...