Doomed For Metal Reviews

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...

Gods & Punks is a Brazilian Doom/Stoner/Sludge band who formed in 2013.  Their latest release, “ A Shrine by the Sea ,” is their sixth full-length album; they have also released six EPs and a live album. One of those EPs, “ Holograms ,” I didn’t even know existed, so I missed that one—however, I did review the band’s previous full-length album, “Death,” and gave it worthy praise.  How does “ A Shrine by the Sea ,” compare?  It’s even better! The song consists of two songs that have a runtime each of 21 minutes and 12 seconds.  I’m not sure if all versions are like this but my promo copy also came with each of the songs broken up into individual tracks.  I’m a huge fan of long songs so for me personally, I chose to listen to the full compositions rather than on an individual song basis. It amounts to the same thing, but I like to listen to albums from beginning to end, especially if I’m going to be writing a review. Your preference may be different for how y...

Temple ov Ahriman is a one-man black metal band from Austin, Texas.  Musician Thornicator ( Triacanthos , ex- Brüka , ex- Vesperian Sorrow ) formed the band in 2021.  After a split release in 2022, the project is now ready to unveil its full-length debut album, “ Heretics of Consensual Reality, ” with the help of session drummer Servitor. “ Heretics of Consensual Reality ,” may have its basis in the second wave of black metal but the album has a sound all its own.  Crust/d-beat and Finnish influences mix seamlessly with the project’s brand of black metal for an album that has a fresh, exciting sound and is a lot more dynamic than I thought it would be. The atmosphere is cold and ancient, like black metal should be, but the production has a surprisingly warm sound.  I think it works pretty well as it allows the band to show all its various moods and variety.  The album has a ton of groove and a punk rock swagger but also a vicious sense of what the essence of ...

Véhémence is a black metal band from France, who formed in 2014.  Their latest album, “ Assiégé pour l'éternité ,” is their fourth full-length album.  With that being said, this is a reimagining of their debut album, “ Assiégé .”  But this is more than a simple remaster.  The band re-recorded the album from the ground up; considering longtime vocalist Hyvermor wasn’t on the original recording, this version automatically sounds different. I’ll be completely honest here:  although I’m familiar with the band, I never listened to their debut but I did briefly (very) give it a listen when I got the promo for this album.  Even without spending much time with the debut, I can safely say this new version sounds different enough that it is pretty much like a new album.  The band’s signature style of “medieval black metal,” including medieval themes and folk textures.  Despite these inclusions, I wouldn’t call this folk metal or even blackened folk. ...

  Doomcult is a doom metal band from the Netherlands, who formed in 2014.  Their latest album, “ Sacrifice All Life ,” is their fourth full-length album; they have also released two EPs and two splits. Taking their moniker into account, I figured I would be getting dark and hopeless doom, with a dash of darker and hopelessness on the side.  I figured right.  Doomcult ’s brand of low-end monstrosities on “ Sacrifice All Life ,” is bleak and moody as hell.  The album has plenty of atmosphere and melody but it’s a more subtle approach, accenting the crushing music rather than taking away from. “ Sarifice All Life ,” is very much riff and rhythm based, the songs change tempo here and there—low and slow to mid-paced gallops and groove.  The band definitely has a knack for when to keep it slow, deep and hard and when to kick up the tempo a bit to let the riffs really throw down.  Vocally, it’s (very) deep death growls and some kind of thrash-style clean-is...