Mama Doom - Imminent Womb

Mama Doom is a doom metal band from Poughkeepsie, New York who changed to their current moniker in 2015 though actually formed in 2006 as The Gentling before changing to Deadtriss for a bit.  Their latest album, “Eminent Womb,” is their third full-length album, in addition to two EPs. As The Gentling, they released one full-length and under the Deadtriss name they released an EP. 

This is my first experience with the band but “Eminent Womb,” has really resonated with me.   They don’t have a guitarist, but it doesn’t hurt their heavy factor at all—the bass is more than crushing enough - Chuckie Rumbles is a goddamn beast and his name fits him well.  According to Metallum, he is married to the band’s vocalist/keyboardist D.Lolli.  A married couple that plays doom?  How cool is that?  I’ll tell you: very cool.  

Lolli’s vocals are among the best vocals I’ve heard this year.  She sings her ass off on this record, providing a dark but expressive voice that fits the band’s atmosphere perfectly.  The whole album has a vintage old-school sound that has been drenched in the occult.  The production/mix feel tailor made to their vibe—easily one of the better sounding doom albums I’ve heard all year.  Lolli also plays keyboards and their importance to the band is optimum.  Much of the horrific/macabre atmosphere seething off this album is attributed to her keys.

It isn’t often that a non-extreme metal band (doom or otherwise) has such an unnerving and mysterious sound but “Eminent Womb,” goes toe to toe with any of the extreme metal I’ve heard this year for sonic density and stark, underground sounds.

All of this is backed by the rock-solid foundation of Anne Terror’s exemplary drumming.  She exists within a pocket dimension where she absolutely thrives with tight control and the ability to steer the songs while complimenting them.  

Intro songs tend to piss me off because they are usually nothing but filler but “Trinity,” ominous soundscapes fit right at home with the album’s sound.  The short but sweet track builds up the nervous energy in a scary way and fades off into the first full song, “Morning Son.”  

This song is clever; its skeleton is built around huge grooves from the bass/drums but the keys circle it all, keeping the song swirling around in mysterious fog of which the vocals appear out of, like some demonic entity of the night.  The song is particularly effective when it slows down the tempo, and the band just crawls along like a serpent searching for prey.  Total banger of a song.

The interlude song, “Night of Day,” and the full-length song, “Blue,” that follows it make quite the effective combo.  Much like how the first two songs worked together, “Night of Day,” sets up the ominous tones of “Blue.”  While the drums lay down a thick foundation, the bass and keys work together to create an apocalyptic sound.  I like how gentle but expressive the vocals are during the stanzas but rise to new heights for the chorus.  

“Mothers Mercy,” is one of my favorite songs on the album.  Lolli’s vocals in the chorus make this so catchy that this one got repeated listens because there is something special about music this dark that also sticks in the head.  The hard-hitting grooves of the drums and bass ensure the song remains appropriately intense, but it will also get the old head banging.  I like the slower passage after the second round of chorus: pure doom that is low, slow, and heavy as a really heavy thing. 

The final song, “Home is in the Ground,” is the sendoff for the album and another personal favorite of mine.  As the title might suggest, this is a disturbing journey and that chorus is haunting.  The keys are both ghostly and ghastly, driving the bass and drums into an unsettling orchestra of the unseemly. 

Mama Doom’s “Eminent Womb,” is an immediately impressive album that hits from the first note to the last, leaving a lasting impression because of its dismal atmosphere brought to life by incredible vocals and instrumental performances.  Any fans of doom would be doing themselves a major disservice by not checking this album out.   

Rating: Excellent