Doomed For Metal Reviews

In Mourning is a progressive death metal band from Sweden, who formed in 2000. 25 years later, they are still going strong. Not only strong but better than ever. My evidence for such a proclamation? This album. That's right: This new full-length album “The Immortal” is their best album since 2010's “ Monolith .”  To be seven albums (and that isn't even mentioning their demos, splits, EPs and live albums) into a 25 year career and still be this good is something to behold. What makes this album so good? Well, In Mourning has always had a knack for being proggy without actually sounding like it. Through natural dynamics and the variety between albums, the band have proven themselves to be explorers of sound without the pretentious aspects that so often come with such journeys. In many ways, “ The Immortal ,” continues that trend. Indeed, each song offers its own identity and, of course, this album doesn't sound like any of their previous ones.  The album shows the band...

Patriarchs In Black is a metal band, formed by Dan Lorenzo ( Cassius King , Vessel of Light , Hades ) and Johnny Kelly ( Type O Negative , Danzig , Kill Devil Hill ) in 2021.  They have wasted little time in releasing albums as this latest release, “ Home, ” is their fourth full-length album.  Keeping in line with tradition of the previous albums, this one features a ton of guest stars to help Dan and Johnny, specifically to play bass and provide vocals but violin, viola, flute and strings are used as well. The band’s base is still very much doom metal:  groove riffs, slow to mid-paced with a ton of weight behind them.  Lorenzo knows exactly what each song needs, how to pull back or move forward with his string prowess at just the right moments.  Kelly, as always, is a rock solid drummer who compliments Lorenzo’s play style perfectly.   Do these two ever run out of rhythms?  No, no, they do not.   With all that being said, this is one o...

Crop is a metal band from Lexington, Kentucky that formed in 2020.  Their latest release is the full-length album “ S.S.R.I .”  This is their debut full-length but they also released a demo in 2021.  Their sound is definitely doomed based but their press release says they have a grunge influence and their Metallum page says they are stoner doom.  I think all these tags are true—the band’s sound is an amalgamation of everything that’s moody and depressing. For doom fans, such as myself, this is something that is absolutely wanted.   And Crop give to us in spades.  I’m not a grunge fan; with the exception of Alice In Chains, I can’t stand any band from the so called ‘grunge’ scene of the 90s.  But Crop mix the style so well into their extremely abrasive sound that it doesn’t bother me.   “ S.S.R.I. ” is the audio equivalent of bathing with a steel wool.  This is a 34 minute journey of pain, emotion, and the torture of human existence...

Schreigarm is a black metal band from Germany who formed in 2020. Their latest release, “ Mara Comes and Darkness Shall Reign ,” is their second full-length album. I missed out on their debut but “ Mara Comes …” has proven itself to me as a surprisingly infectious atmospheric black metal album with a ton of memorable moments. The album retains a fast and aggressive nature, never really losing its edge through the atmospheric elements. I like how the atmo/melodic elements are somewhat subtle and don’t overpower any of the more traditional side of the band’s sound. The production is very tight—not all black metal bands need a raw sound and, honestly, for blackened music of this style then I want something that shines a little brighter. There are a lot of layers to these songs and each individual element unfolds very well because of how good the album sounds. I want to praise the intro song, “ Darkness Shall Reign .” Intro songs are becoming a pandem...

Malthusian is an Irish death/black metal band that formed in 2012.  Their latest album, “ The Summoning Bell ,” is their second full-length album; they have also released a demo, a split, and an EP.   This album is terrifyingly great. And it's terrifying in general!  The band's brand of blackened death is, on the surface, straightforward with no frills.  But multiple listens reveal a band that thrives on the essence of a true extreme, underground sound. The tone of the instruments, the vocals…it is all played with such conviction that it becomes an exciting frill within itself. At times, the tempo is slow and withdrawn–definitely some doom elements within the songs. The ferocity in which they swing back towards a faster paced tempo is like a tree being exploded into pieces by a bolt of lightning. I really like the atmosphere of the album and its as impressive as the songwriting. The air of hopelessness among stark, bleak monolithic tones is present among the bru...

I’m very confused.  The press release for this album said this is the Swedish band Lommi ’s most aggressive album to date and it’s been 10 years in the making.   Why is that confusing?  Because I can’t find ANYTHING on this band.    They have very little digital presence and even their record label has zero information about them.  I can’t find any evidence they have ever released an album other than this one, the oddly titled “ 667788 .” But, confusing musical history aside, this is a goddamn burner of an album.  It’s rooted in old-school doom/metal but far more aggressive than most vintage bands I come across these days.  The bass guitar and double bass are really powerful and thick in the mix—earth shattering!  Speaking of the mix, this album sounds fantastic!  It’s loud and boisterous but those adjectives work in its favor because it lets the riffs shine. The riffs.  My god the RIFFS.  This album is like Christmas morning b...

Signs of the Swarm is a deathcore band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who formed in 2014.  Their latest album, “ To Rid Myself of Truth ,” is their sixth full-length album. I’ll be honest: Deathcore isn’t the first genre I would choose to listen to.  But it has a number of decent to great bands.  Sings of the Swarm is definitely in the great category for me and I’m excited to be reviewing this one.   The band’s musicianship has always impressed me.  Sure, they have breakdowns like any other deathcore band, but their songs have always seemed more and focused.  “ To Rid Myself of Truth ,” carries that further alongside a very uncompromising sound.  Deathcore tends to be much more mainstream sounding than its more extreme cousin, death metal, but this album is pretty goddamn intense. Michael ’s bass just might be the MVP of this album.  His tone is beastly and it’s so powerful that it’s never buried by the very dense guitars or drums.  He s...