Root - The Temple in the Underworld

Genre: Unclassifiable (Epic Black/Doom Metal?)

Country: Czech Republic

Year: 1992

Label: Monitor

Another absolute favourite of mine, Root is a Czech band whose genre is nearly impossible to pin down in a concise fashion. At their inception, they were a first-wave black metal band, having formed in 1987. Accordingly, their early output had a kind of Venom/Celtic Frost/early Bathory vibe, but as time went on, their sound evolved into something utterly unique and entirely their own. This, their second proper full-length, is my favourite album from their diverse discography. As previously stated, it is really difficult to describe the music at hand. I suppose I'd pin it somewhere in some kind of epic black/doom/death metal realm, but that doesn't even begin to do it justice. It really just has to be experienced first-hand. Temple in the Underworld is definitely an album that you should set aside some close-listening time for, as there is a lot going on here and it's really worth giving it your undivided attention. The vocals of the mighty Big Boss are, as with most Root albums, the most immediately memorable part of the band's sound. He issues forth a clean, resonant tenor as well as strange, throaty growls and everything in between, and listening to his charismatic delivery is truly a treat. Nobody - and I mean nobody - sounds like Big Boss. The moment he starts singing, there is no question which band you're listening to. But I don't want my enthusiasm for his vocals to overshadow the absolutely killer music on display here. Guitarist Petr "Blackie" Hošek is a true artisan at his craft, imbuing the songs with spectacularly imaginative riffs and structures. (He has, unfortunately, departed from the band, and his absence is definitely apparent in the post-Blackie material.) The battery is handled by Evil, and his drumming displays an enormous amount of skill and creativity. There's always cool cymbal work or intricate fills going on, and it really keeps things interesting in the rhythm section. There is a deeply pervasive atmosphere to this album, lending the entire length a very mysterious, arcane feel. The reverb-drenched production actually has a surprisingly professional edge to it, but it is by no means 'over-produced' or plastic sounding - it's full and heavy without sacrificing the organic feel this kind of music demands. This is a top-notch album played by amazing musicians. Easily one of the coolest extreme metal recordings ever put to wax.

Temple in the Underworld

Argus - Argus

 

Genre: Heavy/Doom Metal

Country: U.S.A.

Year: 2009

Label: Shadow Kingdom Records

Time for another installment of "I Will Never Have the Words to Describe How Incredible This Music Is". Seriously though, Argus is one of those rare bands who have managed to craft a sound that is both classic and timeless yet very much their own. This has been one of my most-played albums since around its release in 2009, and I still spin it regularly. The music at hand is heavy metal with a doom streak running through its core. The songs are generally at a mid-paced stomp, but occasionally they do wander into monolithic, arcane doom territory. There is a lot of dual-guitar sorcery going on here, and it yields truly spectacular results. The twin-axe brew concocted by Argus' resident string-slinging duo of Jason Mucio and Erik Johnson is a low-gain affair with plenty of crunch to spare, and the approach fits the music perfectly. The twisted, winding licks and bone-crushing riffs never cease to amaze, and every solo is inventive and immaculately performed. The rhythm section is a force to be reckoned with, marching forth with the combined efforts of Andy Ramage's expertly-handled bassery and Kevin Latchaw's genius drumming. The entire affair is topped off by the mighty, ineffable presence of Butch Balich, whose majestic, dire vocals are truly awe-inspiring. Every single word on this album is sung with deep conviction and import. His delivery is simply gigantic; his voice fills the musical space in a way only the very best vocalists can manage. That being said, these guys are the real deal, the full package, the cream of the crop. This is truly incredible music. I could exhaust every superlative in the English language trying to express how much I love this band. Absolutely essential.

For fans of Sinister Realm, Doomsword, Solstice, and Hour of 13.

Argus

Solstice - New Dark Age

 

Genre: Epic Doom Metal

Country: United Kingdom

Year: 1998

Label: Misanthropic Records

Behold, one of doom metal's greatest masterpieces. There is absolutely nothing I can write that will do this unbelievable music justice, but I will give it my best shot. I felt it appropriate to post this as a follow-up to Isen Torr, seeing as both bands are masterminded  by Rich Walker. So, enter Solstice: this is true, epic doom in a one-of-a-kind vein that simply cannot be imitated, standing right up there with Candlemass' Nightfall as a towering monument to what the genre is capable of. Crushing, megalithic riffs wander across rich, sweeping soundscapes as unforgettable lead melodies wind their way over it all. Deep, arcane atmospheres absolutely envelop the listener throughout - but not without plenty of moments that induce compulsory headbanging! Solstice certainly haven't forgotten the 'metal' part of doom metal, churning out riff after riff of pure molten steel. The distinctly British vocals of Morris Ingram feel a bit strange at first to some listeners, but I assure you, they will grow on you until you wouldn't have anyone else at the mic. His English folk-infused delivery and unique diction add a lot to the atmosphere of the whole affair, and if it doesn't click with you during the a cappella break a third of the way through 'Cimmerian Codex,' then nothing will. Even the lyrics are in a realm of their own (definitely take the time to read them at some point, they're incredibly cool). There are definitely deeply-rooted folk influences throughout New Dark Age, but make no mistake, this is not teeny-bopper folk metal by any stretch of the imagination. There are no sugary keyboards, no borderline-hardcore yapping about plastic Viking helmets, none of the crap that usually comes with the words 'folk influence' (also note that this album was released in the early 90s, before that was all a common trend). Rather, it is intrinsic to the epic doom metal that Solstice plays, coming through tastefully in the leads and vocal melodies. What is truly awe-inspiring about this album, however, is how many moods and atmospheres it covers while each song still clearly feels like a part of a greater, cohesive whole. Walker doesn't let his propensity for long songs run amok - they are tightly composed and perfectly paced, with intriguing, complex structures that really keep the listener's attention through every last note. There are a couple of acoustic/vocal interludes as well, but again, that does not at all mean what it has come to mean these days. No, these are not pretentious, masturbatory exercises in "look at how mysteriously I can neofolk at you while being introspective in the woods." Instead, they are thematically consistent with the rest of the album, blending Walker's epic lyrics with Ingram's medieval English vocal style to further enhance the engrossing storytelling aesthetic. Everything about this album is damn near perfect. It takes my breath away every single time I spin it, and it has secured an unflinching spot among my absolute favourite albums of all time. There never has and never will be another album quite like this one. It is unique, beautiful, savage, complex, heavy, and epic in a sense not even remotely encompassed by the word. Absolutely essential.

For fans of Candlemass, Ereb Altor, While Heaven Wept, and Mael Mórdha.

New Dark Age 

Griftegård - Solemn, Sacred, Severe

Genre: Doom Metal

Country: Sweden

Year: 2009

Label: Ván Records

Here we have a great old-school style epic doom metal band from Sweden. Solemn, Sacred, Severe has a cavernous atmosphere with big, slow, heavy riffs to back it up. The vocals are on the theatrical side of the spectrum, singer Thomas Eriksson wailing in a very emotive, expressive tone that truly suits the music. His voice is one of the high points of the album, adding a lot to the feelings of gloom and solitude invoked by the slow, sombre guitar work. This is definitely an album that requires a certain mood in which to listen to it, but when you're in said mood, it really, really hits the spot. If you don't enjoy Solemn, Sacred, Severe during your first listen, set it aside and come back to it later. You might be surprised at how much of a difference the proper setting can make for this doom gem.

For fans of Candlemass, Reverend Bizarre, and Isole.

Solemn, Sacred, Severe

Tyranny - Tides of Awakening

 

Genre: Funeral Doom

Country: Finland

Year: 2005

Label: Firedoom

From the deepest filth-ridden crevasses of R'lyeh comes Tyranny, one of the most epic, evil funeral doom bands on the planet. Okay, they're actually from Finland, but the five sun-crushing dirges on this album will have you thinking Azathoth decided to write the ideal soundtrack to himself devouring the cosmos. The production is unfathomably huge, the drums sounding like they're rising from the furthest reaches of the ocean depths, the behemoth cyclopean rhythm guitars churning and writhing beneath sinister leads, all underpinned by subtle, textural keys that enhance the stygian, otherworldy atmosphere. Any sanity you might have left is utterly annihilated by the downright demonic vocals, whose visceral, infernal rumble truly thrusts Tides of Awakening into its own realm of incredibly malevolent universe-murdering funeral doom. This is a must-listen for fans of the genre.

For fans of Thergothon, Catacombs, Wormphlegm, and Colosseum.

Tides of Awakening

Pantheist - O Solitude

Genre: Funeral Doom

Country: Belgium

Year: 2003

Label: Firebox Records

Pantheist are one of the defining bands of the funeral doom genre, largely thanks to this, their monumental debut full-length. O Solitude is a beautiful, intricate journey through an ever-changing soundscape, always sorrowful but never stagnant. This is probably one of the more diverse albums in the genre, as Pantheist use a variety of different instruments and keyboard textures to enhance their sound, and are even brave enough to pick up the pace every once in a while for heavy (if short-lived) head-banging sections. The vocals are also worthy of note, showcasing clean male vocals for a good portion of the album. The rumbling funeral growls are still present, of course, but the cleans definitely take centre stage, mournfully crooning above the music to create a lush, sombre atmosphere. This is one of those special funeral doom albums that really never gets boring or repetitive, always evolving, sometimes surprising, at other times with subtle finesse. Rest assured, doom fans: this album will captivate you from start to finish. Magnificent.

For fans of Skumring, Mourning Beloveth, Shape of Despair, and Colosseum.

O Solitude 

Colosseum - Chapter I: Delerium

Genre: Funeral Doom

Country: Finland

Year: 2007

Label: Firedoom

Finland's funeral doom heroes Colosseum unfortunately joined the ranks of the fallen on the 15th of May this year, having split up due to the untimely death of mastermind Juhani Palomäki. The legacy he left behind is nothing short of astounding, having forged some of the most gripping funeral doom ever put to tape. Palomäki got his start in the melodic doom outfit Yearning, and eventually went on to form Colosseum in 2006. A demo and two full-length albums were recorded before he passed away, and a third was recorded and is set to be released in his memory. As for the music itself, this is colossal, epic, dynamic funeral doom of the highest order, absolutely crushing everything in its path. Megalithic riffs wander their way across bleak, desolate landscapes through which which distant, inhuman vocals rumble, a foundation over which tasteful keys weep beautiful, mournful melodies. The drums are handled expertly, every last kick and snare hit taking the wind out of your chest thanks to a big, booming production job. This is funeral doom you can truly feel, always exploring new emotional landscapes, never letting go, never resting on its laurels. There isn't a boring note on this album - it remains interesting and fresh across its entire length. Chapter I: Delerium is pure sorrow, darkness, and lamentation distilled into audio form, at once dark, oppressive, haunting, and beautiful. Thank you, Juhani Palomäki, for the magnificent art you left us with. A thousand cheers to you, sir.

For fans of Shape of Despair, Pantheist, Skepticism, and The Howling Void.

Chapter I: Delerium

Reverend Bizarre - Crush the Insects

 

Genre: Doom Metal

Country: Finland

Year: 2005

Label: Spikefarm Records

Reverend Bizarre was a strange, awesome, heavy-as-balls doom metal band from Finland. Everything from the fuzzed-out guitar tone to the theatrical vocals of Albert Witchfinder oozes an occult, old-school feeling that is truly genuine, and the songs range from the mid-paced stomp of rockin' cuts like "Doom Over the World" and "Cromwell", to sluggish, crushing behemoths like "Slave of Satan" or "Eternal Forest". If you're interested in strange, poser-crushing doom with a cool old-school vibe, Reverend Bizarre is a must.

For fans of Candlemass, The Lamp of Thoth, and Briton Rites.

Crush the Insects

Briton Rites - For Mircalla

 

Genre: Doom Metal

Country: U.S.A.

Year: 2010

Label: Echoes of Crom Records

Holy shit, this album is a goddamn riff apocalypse! Seriously, there are so many awesome riffs on this album that I can't believe a single human being wrote all of them. For Mircalla is an incredibly badass old-school feast for any doom maniac, replete with heavy guitars, occult lyrics, theatrical vocals, and did I mention RIFFS? I cannot stop spinning this monster! In fact, I'm ending this synopsis right now so you'll listen to it and grab a copy for yourself.

For fans of The Lamp of Thoth, Pentagram, and Witchfinder General.

For Mircalla

Keen of the Crow - Hyborea

Genre: Doom/Death Metal

Country: U.S.A.

Year: 1997

Label: Garu Records

Keen of the Crow was short-lived American doom metal band that unfortunately only brought us one full-length before splitting up. It was formed by two ex-members of Morgion following their split, and in my opinion, the music on this album is cooler than their original band's later output.  This is a truly spectacular death/doom monument, featuring epic, heavy riffs, diverse and well-executed vocals, and a big, fat production job that suits the music perfectly. Lyrically this is all Robert E. Howard stuff (as you undoubtedly noticed from the title), and it's really cool to see a band successfully taking a different musical approach to such topics. With Hyborea, Keen of the Crow has forged an epic, heavy, dynamic beast of an album, and it's really a shame we won't be hearing more from them.

For fans of Morgion, Mourning Beloveth, Runemagick, and Novembers Doom.

Hyborea

Candlemass - Nightfall

Genre: Doom Metal

Country: Sweden

Year: 1987

Label: Active Records

Here is my favourite album by my favourite doom metal band. Yet another album that I will never be able to do justice to with words, so I'll keep this short and sweet as I'm sure many of you already own and adore this classic. Nightfall was Messiah Marcolin's debut with Candlemass, and he really took them to a new level. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, and I think Johan Langquist did a fantastic job at the mic, but for me, it is the Messiah period that truly defines the band. His voice is simply one of the greatest that have ever graced a metal album, marking each track with its signature immaculate technique and entrancing charisma. As for the music itself, Nightfall is epic, dark, huge, and Heavy with a capital 'H'. This album will crush you flat with its leaden doom stomp, and some of Leif Edling's best riffs are immortalized here. Every single song on Nightfall is a masterwork, and it is absolutely essential to every metal fan's collection. See you at the gallow's end!

For fans of Ereb Altor, Solitude Aeternus, Reverend Bizarre, and Isole.

Nightfall

While Heaven Wept - Vast Oceans Lachrymose

Genre: Heavy/Doom Metal

Country: U.S.A.

Year: 2009

Label: Cruz Del Sur

This album was a top pick of mine from 2009, blasting its way onto the scene with its top-notch production, fantastic musicianship, and great songwriting. This is definitely my favourite While Heaven Wept release because, while their least doomy, it is their most powerful and convincing performance. The riffs are heavy, the keys are tasteful, and the vocals are passionate, with memorable choruses and melodies that really stick with you after the album's end. There is definitely an epic feeling to it all, and at times the music seems larger than life, really sweeping the listener into its gigantic songs. Vast Oceans Lachrymose is a dynamic and refreshing outing from a seasoned band, and it definitely deserves an attentive listen.

For fans of Candlemass, Mael Mórdha, Solitude Aeternus, and Old Season.

Vast Oceans Lachrymose

Pagan Altar - Lords of Hypocrisy

Genre: NWOBHM/Doom Metal

Country: United Kingdom

Year: 2004

Label: Oracle Promotions

Enter Pagan Altar, lords of keeping it old-school. One of the few NWOBHM groups to play a more doomed-out style, the band was formed 1978 and recorded their first full-length in 1982, but it didn't see release  until 1998. They've picked their career back up, releasing this album in 2004 and the awesome Mythical and Magical full-length in 2008. The magic of this band stems from the fact that they still sound very much stuck in the late 70s, and it's a real treat to listen to. The guitar tone has that sound that simply cannot be reproduced by more up-to-date equipment, and the production is clean and full but retains the mystical decades-past feeling of the music.  Lead guitarist Alan Jones is an absolute wizard with his instrument, churning out unforgettable riffs and soulful leads song after song. Singer Terry Jones obviously still has it, topping the music off with his cool, unique vocals. His voice does a lot to enhance the mood of the album - an aesthetic that is 100% authentic and very, very addictive.  The songs are complex, dynamic, and epic in their own way, but always stay true to the timeless late 70s vibe that pervades every last note of the album's 50 minute runtime. This band is essential for every fan of very old-school rockin' NWOBHM/doom metal. Fantastic.

Lords of Hypocrisy

The Lamp of Thoth - Portents, Omens and Dooms

Genre: Doom Metal

Country: United Kingdom

Year: 2008

Label: The Miskatonic Foundation

Portents, Omens and Dooms is one of the most awesome doom metal albums I've heard in quite some time. These guys (and gal) are intent on keeping it old school and... well, doomy as hell. From the immediate onset of the first song, your head will be banging and your air guitar will be shredding, all of which will continue for the entire length of the album. The vocals are definitely a highlight here, bringing a charismatic, theatrical touch the the awesome occult lyrics, and the riffs themselves are a force to be reckoned with. This is an absolute must-have for fans of old-school doom.

For fans of Witchfinder General, Reverend Bizarre, and Pagan Altar.

Portents, Omens and Dooms

Ereb Altor - By Honour

Genre: Doom Metal

Country: Sweden

Year: 2008

Label: I Hate Records

This album is probably one of the most awesome odes to Viking-era Bathory I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. Ereb Altor is a Swedish outfit that obviously worships Quorthon, and do a very, very good job of it. Make no mistake, however - this is doom metal, and the overall pace of the album is rather ponderous, which works very well for the music. Monolithic riffs and epic vocals are the name of the game here, and this is a heavy, majestic, beautiful album that Mr. Forsberg himself would no doubt be proud of.

For fans of Bathory, Candlemass, Isole, and Morrigan.

By Honour