Doomed For Metal Reviews

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...

Soothsayer is an atmospheric doom metal band from Ireland who formed in 2013.  Their latest release, “ The Unbinding ,” is their second-full length album; they have also released two EPs, a split, and a live album.  It has been five long years since I reviewed the previous Soothsayer album, “ Echoes of the Earth ,” when I worked for Metal Temple.  It’s pretty cool, and exciting, that I get to review the next full-length album, “ The Unbinding .”   So, what has happened in five years?  Do we get the same Soothsayer ?  A different one?  Worse or better?  Honestly, in my humble opinion, “ The Unbinding ,” blows the previous album away (which says a lot).  There is less abrasive sludge on this album—the band is leaning more into extreme, ultra heavy doom a lot more.  For me, there is nothing better.  And it’s my review so let me have this win and celebrate with the band. It’s also much more cohesive, focused with elements of black...

Tomb Slab is a doom/sludge band from Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England that formed in 2013; their self-titled album is their debut full-length.  And what a debut it is!  This is caustic, extreme doom/sludge that is easily one of the heaviest, most uncompromising albums I’ve heard in July.  Just think about a brutal band you like and then multiply it by 10.  That’s the world where Tomb Slab not only lives but thrives.  The vocals are devastating, a sort of death/blackened scream that rattles the bones.  The music is equally as filthy—gargantuan riffs that have the atmosphere of doom but the tone of hell itself, a sludge performance dredged up from one of its circles.  No question: if you like riffs, then this album is your god. The band’s name is perfect because each song is like a slab of death that batters and breaks the senses. The album consists of six songs and a very tight runtime of just under 31 minutes.  The band wastes no time with th...