I was going to start this as a thread, but I found this thread in the nick of time, so here goes:
Hey Folks
(A precursor - please dont slag my post, I'm simply trying to share info for those who are seeking more knowledge on this genre, its not about being a guru. To Moonlapse, feel free to delete if this is already done)...
Over the years I've seen posts here come and go regarding Doom... likes, dislikes, but I've noticed a lot of them have been misconceptions mostly among newer posters who are exploring Doom for the first time.
Its good that the posts do come into the forum regarding it - obviously, those who branch from Opeth and into Brave Murder Day can hear it, but sometimes are unsure of where to go from there.
So here's a quick way to find out what Doom, or in this case, Funeral Doom and Doom-Death, sound like.
Shape of Despair (Funeral Doom)
One of the true masters of Funeral Doom are Shape of Despair. This band has been around for a decade now, and have become recognised in Doom circles as masters of their craft.
They utilise keys, flutes and more recently, violins (as My Dying Bride did for many years). The music is hypnotic, with long compositions and drawn out passages. Vocals are growled with breadth and slowness, with female vocals soaring through.
The music is beautifully composed with ambience and thick walls of guitars sometimes passing through each other beautifully.
You can hear audio snippets at this link:
http://www.shapeofdespair.com/music.htm
Rapture (Doom-Death)
Fans of Mikael Akerfeldt's work with Katatonia on Brave Murder Day and Sounds of Decay will also highly appreciate Rapture, who are also 'related' to Shape of Despair through common members:
http://www.spinefarm.fi/showband.php?id=62
Rapture's first two albums are highly remniscent of Brave Murder Day, far darker in some ways, with a higher level of concentation of the BMD style. The wall of guitars is VERY thick, and clear, but at the same time, distant growling using some nice depth. By their third album though, Silent Stage, they have begun a catchier direction (hence why I didnt buy it).
I highly recommend the first and second albums, especially the amazing debut, "Futile". Fantastic, cold and very melancholic Doom-Death. A good doorway for more intense doom later down the track (Novembers Doom, Unholy).
PS - purchasing Black Sabbath's first album is an absolute must!
Thats my 2c - now it's everyone else's turn to to add their recommendations for those here who begin their search for Doom.
Peace.
