Forgotten Tomb Springtime Depression
Adipocere Records CDAR72 2003
By Russell Garwood
Italys Forgotten Tomb plays music with the sole intention of promoting suicide. Formerly a black metal duo, bassist Torment fell into insanity and disappeared, leaving only Herr Morbid to play a new style of blackened doom. As you would imagine (considering the subject matter), Springtime Depression is not a cheerful release by any means, but I find the extreme music lacks enough melody to make it truly emotionally affecting. Herr Morbid plays all instruments on this suicide propaganda apart from the drums, which come courtesy of Wederbrand (ex-Shining). Herrs vox rarely vary from witch-orientated black metal screams, while his guitars are a mixture of distorted chords, occasional solo lines, and clean picking. While cleaner tones give more melody, the music is still generally harsh, unforgiving and with little melodic. The bass is less prominent, generally doing little more than following the guitars, yet still providing a necessary low end, while Wederbrands drums arent overly complicated but fit well.
Occasional acoustic sections prove more poignant than the rest of the music and help keep a more interesting sound. Originality is not abundant in Forgotten Tombs music, and Im not keen on the subject matter, whether a gimmick or genuine, but otherwise Springtime Depression is a solid release. Recorded at Abyss Studio by Tommy Tagtgren, the production is reasonably clear, and the instruments balanced, although it would be nice to hear more of the clean guitars, which often seem buried beneath layers of distortion. Forgotten Tomb is likely to be welcomed by fans of both black and doom, and of course those interested in suicide-driven music.
Adipocere Records CDAR72 2003
By Russell Garwood
Italys Forgotten Tomb plays music with the sole intention of promoting suicide. Formerly a black metal duo, bassist Torment fell into insanity and disappeared, leaving only Herr Morbid to play a new style of blackened doom. As you would imagine (considering the subject matter), Springtime Depression is not a cheerful release by any means, but I find the extreme music lacks enough melody to make it truly emotionally affecting. Herr Morbid plays all instruments on this suicide propaganda apart from the drums, which come courtesy of Wederbrand (ex-Shining). Herrs vox rarely vary from witch-orientated black metal screams, while his guitars are a mixture of distorted chords, occasional solo lines, and clean picking. While cleaner tones give more melody, the music is still generally harsh, unforgiving and with little melodic. The bass is less prominent, generally doing little more than following the guitars, yet still providing a necessary low end, while Wederbrands drums arent overly complicated but fit well.
Occasional acoustic sections prove more poignant than the rest of the music and help keep a more interesting sound. Originality is not abundant in Forgotten Tombs music, and Im not keen on the subject matter, whether a gimmick or genuine, but otherwise Springtime Depression is a solid release. Recorded at Abyss Studio by Tommy Tagtgren, the production is reasonably clear, and the instruments balanced, although it would be nice to hear more of the clean guitars, which often seem buried beneath layers of distortion. Forgotten Tomb is likely to be welcomed by fans of both black and doom, and of course those interested in suicide-driven music.
