Doomed For Metal Reviews

Resumption is a death/doom project from musician Wilhelm Lindh ( The Gardnerz , ex- Tristitia , ex- Pandemonium , ex- Allamedah ) that formed last year.  Wilhelm has wasted no time, already dropping Resumption’s full-length debut “ The Respite .”  According to the press release, the band aims to bridge the gap between death metal bands like Bolt Thrower and Broken Hope with the suffocating, slow atmosphere of Funeral. I’d say this is a pretty damn accurate description of the album and the band’s overall style.   The production and mix has a real DIY feel but in a good way.  The raw (ish), gravely sound works perfect for the type of doom this is—this definitely doesn’t need a shiny, happy production job!  The mix is on point too—the bass stands out really well and an absolute bulldozer.  The vocals are exactly what the songs need and they sit up at the front of the mix without overtaking any one element.   Wilhelm plays all the instruments, an...

IATT is a progressive death/black metal band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who formed in 2008.  Their latest release, “ Etheric Realms of the Night ,” is their fourth full-length album; they have also released five EPs. I reviewed their previous album, 2022’s “ Magnum Opus ,” when I wrote for Metal Temple and gave it high praise.  A few years later, the band has returned but in what form?  Is their edge dulled?  Or are they still on the path of killer prog? IATT has crafted quite the album with “ Etheric Realms of the Night .”  The problem with prog metal bands is that sometimes after releasing an album as good as “Magnum Opus,” they don’t know where to go.  Some get even heavier and lose the proggy parts that made them so interesting.  Others get lighter with so much prog they just become boring.  IATT focused on their sound and introduced new pathways while injecting their older ones with steroids.  “ Etheric …” seems more focused and by ...

When Canadian musician Damian Smith announced that the amazing Altars of Grief was on hold, I was sad.  In my humble opinion, their last album “Iris” is one of the best doom metal albums in modern times…but if Smith keeps putting out albums like “ Derelict Heart ,” from his new band Northern Graves, then I might be less sad.  Maybe.  This is blackened doom, so it isn’t exactly the happiest music.  Smith, who provides vocals, guitars, and piano, is joined by Roman Chester (bass), Branson Heinz (drums), and Andrew Caruna (vocals and guitar as well).  These four gentlemen clearly have a great synergy together because even though this album moves through both whiplash passages of blackened destitution and somber causeways of doom, it flows amazingly well from song to song.  I also want to spend some time talking about intros and interludes.  I hate them, and it is documented so throughout many of my reviews.  Well, I hate most of them.  There a...