Skepticism Farmakon
Red Stream Records RSR-0156 April 18th 2003
By Russell Garwood
Skepticism play utterly bleak, suffocating funeral doom; achingly slow drums plod ominously along with a dormant foreboding, whilst guitars hold melody and extremity. They rely on listless chords and single line melodies, and cleaner tones add some welcome variety to the crushing, slow-moving wall of sound usually created. A melancholic element is added by synths, which rely on dramatic organ tones and violins, helping create a dark beauty in the monolithic movements. Deep growls can be barely audible, creating more of an atmosphere than a front to the music, so buried are they in the mixing.
Surprisingly, for such slow building and lengthy songs, I dont find they become boring at all, but create a dark ambience which you will either love or hate. The hopeless, wretched tunes and mournful feel are sure to attract fans of extreme doom, but I see no reason why this release shouldnt be enjoyed by lovers of dark, morose and extreme music. Skepticism play top class funeral doom; "Farmakon" all too easily carries you off into cold oblivion for an hour, and comes highly recommended
Red Stream Records RSR-0156 April 18th 2003
By Russell Garwood
Skepticism play utterly bleak, suffocating funeral doom; achingly slow drums plod ominously along with a dormant foreboding, whilst guitars hold melody and extremity. They rely on listless chords and single line melodies, and cleaner tones add some welcome variety to the crushing, slow-moving wall of sound usually created. A melancholic element is added by synths, which rely on dramatic organ tones and violins, helping create a dark beauty in the monolithic movements. Deep growls can be barely audible, creating more of an atmosphere than a front to the music, so buried are they in the mixing.
Surprisingly, for such slow building and lengthy songs, I dont find they become boring at all, but create a dark ambience which you will either love or hate. The hopeless, wretched tunes and mournful feel are sure to attract fans of extreme doom, but I see no reason why this release shouldnt be enjoyed by lovers of dark, morose and extreme music. Skepticism play top class funeral doom; "Farmakon" all too easily carries you off into cold oblivion for an hour, and comes highly recommended
