Okay... it took me long enough, yeah? Let's get crackin!
"Doom." From Mr. Erik G.
1. My Dying Bride "Symphonaire Infernus et Spera Empyrium"
First off, this song has a very obviously kickass intro (with the string instruments). It gives a creepy old-fashioned feeling, which is something I can appreciate. Also what stood out to me is how these aren't average shitty death vox - lolzwoot! The violins/fiddles/whatever throughout the tune are perfect. The song weaves inbetween new riffs and repeated riffs, progressively getting faster. 9/10
2. Cathedral "Mourning of a New Day"
Call me a dick, but I'm finding it rather hard to get into this song. The chord progression does not strike my brain in a way that says "AWESOME!". The vocals too, sort of got on my nerves - I find them too dramatic. Actually it is pretty enjoyable up until the vox come in... A lot of people like Cathedral A LOT so I guess it's just me, or maybe I haven't found the magic of the song yet. 6.7/10
3. Thergothon "Elemental"
There's a lot of hype around Thergothon, perhaps a little too much. Don't get me wrong, this song is great, but I was expecting something a little bit different. The production takes away from the atmoshphere some, but you soon get used to it and its no long a problem. I really like the variation in drumming - and the almost Johan Hegg like vocals (if you took away some of the intensity and slowed it down). There's a charming minimalism here. 8.8/10
4. Unholy "...Of Tragedy"
This song is really, really good. I'm not big on female vocals a lot of the time, but these seem to work. There's a good feeling when the guitars punch out for a couple minutes - and the music afterwards (when it gets heavy again) is very nice. 8.4/10
5. Dusk "...Majestic Thou in Ruin"
The music, in my opinion, doesn't exactly line up with the intro sample of birds chirping and a stream running... but hey, it doesn't last that long. I'm not big on the vocals here, but when the chorus guitars (or snyths, im not sure) kick in, and the double bass gets going towards the end- this isn't a bad song! 8.2/10
6. Winter "Servants of the Warsmen"
What a slutty, slutty guitar sound. Who said that was a bad thing!? I'm not sure what I think of this song yet... I don't think I'm in the right mood for it, nor have I been during other listens. NA/10
7. Evoken "Tragedy Eternal"
I have a little bit of experience with Evoken, thanks to Doomcifer, and I like this song a lot. Good vocals, and good use of clean guitar mixed with synth. There's a glorious atmosphere here! The piano towards the end (teaming up with the lead guitar) is nice.
8. dISEMBOWELMENT "Your Prophetic Throne of Ivory"
Interesting clean vocals at the beginning. Once again, sturdy use of clean guitar (if you've heard Ulver's demo, the sound of it and the way it is used is sort of remiscent). The song picks up pace about half way though- a very nice transition. 8.2/10
9. Indesinence "Catalepsy"
I like the production on this one! I don't really know why, but I felt sort of a Mastadon feel while listening to this one. It could be the "experiental riffs". I don't have much more too say about this one - 7.9/10
10. Anathema "Sleepless '96"
I know Anathema pretty well, and Anathema rules. This song doesn't really need to be reviewed- its great. Good drumming, great vox, interesting and appropriate guitars, and a cool solo towards the end. Actually my favorite track on this CD! 9.1/10
Overall rating on the CD - 8.0/10 - Perhaps some of this stuff isn't my style, but while I didn't like some of the tunes so much - I found out what my style actually was!
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I'm posting this now so I don't loose it if my browser crashes or something. Hang tight Doomcifer, I'm doing your CD-Rs next, I didn't forget!
"Doom." From Mr. Erik G.
1. My Dying Bride "Symphonaire Infernus et Spera Empyrium"
First off, this song has a very obviously kickass intro (with the string instruments). It gives a creepy old-fashioned feeling, which is something I can appreciate. Also what stood out to me is how these aren't average shitty death vox - lolzwoot! The violins/fiddles/whatever throughout the tune are perfect. The song weaves inbetween new riffs and repeated riffs, progressively getting faster. 9/10
2. Cathedral "Mourning of a New Day"
Call me a dick, but I'm finding it rather hard to get into this song. The chord progression does not strike my brain in a way that says "AWESOME!". The vocals too, sort of got on my nerves - I find them too dramatic. Actually it is pretty enjoyable up until the vox come in... A lot of people like Cathedral A LOT so I guess it's just me, or maybe I haven't found the magic of the song yet. 6.7/10
3. Thergothon "Elemental"
There's a lot of hype around Thergothon, perhaps a little too much. Don't get me wrong, this song is great, but I was expecting something a little bit different. The production takes away from the atmoshphere some, but you soon get used to it and its no long a problem. I really like the variation in drumming - and the almost Johan Hegg like vocals (if you took away some of the intensity and slowed it down). There's a charming minimalism here. 8.8/10
4. Unholy "...Of Tragedy"
This song is really, really good. I'm not big on female vocals a lot of the time, but these seem to work. There's a good feeling when the guitars punch out for a couple minutes - and the music afterwards (when it gets heavy again) is very nice. 8.4/10
5. Dusk "...Majestic Thou in Ruin"
The music, in my opinion, doesn't exactly line up with the intro sample of birds chirping and a stream running... but hey, it doesn't last that long. I'm not big on the vocals here, but when the chorus guitars (or snyths, im not sure) kick in, and the double bass gets going towards the end- this isn't a bad song! 8.2/10
6. Winter "Servants of the Warsmen"
What a slutty, slutty guitar sound. Who said that was a bad thing!? I'm not sure what I think of this song yet... I don't think I'm in the right mood for it, nor have I been during other listens. NA/10
7. Evoken "Tragedy Eternal"
I have a little bit of experience with Evoken, thanks to Doomcifer, and I like this song a lot. Good vocals, and good use of clean guitar mixed with synth. There's a glorious atmosphere here! The piano towards the end (teaming up with the lead guitar) is nice.
8. dISEMBOWELMENT "Your Prophetic Throne of Ivory"
Interesting clean vocals at the beginning. Once again, sturdy use of clean guitar (if you've heard Ulver's demo, the sound of it and the way it is used is sort of remiscent). The song picks up pace about half way though- a very nice transition. 8.2/10
9. Indesinence "Catalepsy"
I like the production on this one! I don't really know why, but I felt sort of a Mastadon feel while listening to this one. It could be the "experiental riffs". I don't have much more too say about this one - 7.9/10
10. Anathema "Sleepless '96"
I know Anathema pretty well, and Anathema rules. This song doesn't really need to be reviewed- its great. Good drumming, great vox, interesting and appropriate guitars, and a cool solo towards the end. Actually my favorite track on this CD! 9.1/10
Overall rating on the CD - 8.0/10 - Perhaps some of this stuff isn't my style, but while I didn't like some of the tunes so much - I found out what my style actually was!
_____________________________________________________________
I'm posting this now so I don't loose it if my browser crashes or something. Hang tight Doomcifer, I'm doing your CD-Rs next, I didn't forget!
