Album review: Cathaaria – Coin of the Realm (2021)

Cathaaria – Coin of The Realm

Finland

Esoteric Tradition

Cathaaria is the blackened Sludge/Doom project of Matron Thorn (Benighted In Sodom, Death Fetishist, etc.) and “Coin of The Realm” is his debut album. There are six songs in total, and most of the tracks are pretty lengthy, save for the intro. From the beginning of “Real Country Dark” I could detect the signature Matron Thorn style, which is poured all over this release. While I would be reluctant to call this an extreme metal record, there’s certainly metallic nuances in the music. Essentially, the music is pretty dark, and bleak, as well as atmospheric. The whiskey-ridden vocals pair well with the sludgy guitars and horror-like ambiance.

The following excerpt is taken from the band’s bandcamp page:

“Matron Thorn presents Cathaaria, Lovecraftian Sludge Doom for serial murder, the fetishistic and mentally ill. Music for the old ways, the lost and forbidden. For best results, pair with whiskey and morphine.”

Admittedly, I love the artwork. It’s more than applicable for this type of music. Musically, it's not bad for a first album, but I don't think Cathaaria has reached its full potential yet. Though the album works best when absorbed as a whole, I just don't think the songs are strong enough when picked out individually. I'm no self-proclaimed "expert," but I think I would've enjoyed it more if the guitars were heavier and more menacing, and if metallic elements were more prominent. Then again, Cathaaria’s debut isn’t terribly offensive to these ears either, and even exhibits some redeeming qualities that people into Black/Death will appreciate. However, one must bear in mind that it's definitely good for what it is.

Overall, I think people into psychedelic, dark and experimental music might appreciate this, especially if you like bands such as Danzig, Acid Bath, or even Blut Aus Nord, because that’s what Cathaaria sounds like more or less – like a warped mix of the aforementioned acts, but more low-key. Worth checking out. (HT)

Album review: Kalmo - Gehinnom (2021)

Kalmo - Gehinnom

Finland

Sliptrick Records

Kalmo is a Finnish one-man project playing a kind of Black/Doom with a very distinct Finnish vernacular, especially with the vocals, which are thick and expressive. Neither a growl, nor a clean vocal. The music overall has a pretty dark feel to it, and the songs are mostly slow as the riffs create patterns that do not really pick up speed and mostly stay the same the whole time. The vocals definitely take some getting used to, and I think if the vocals were more aggressive, or if they were actual tortured screams, the project would have sounded 10 times more interesting. However, one should not disregard the fact that the band is still in its development phase. And I can even find some enjoyable elements in their sound, especially with the riffing style, which I think if the band continues to develop, they can really come up with a strong effort and sound of their own. The total length of this album clocks in at 27 minutes. If you have the patience to sit through such a length and endure such a slow style of Blackened Doom music, then you should definitely give it a listen. Not bad, but I think the band has the potential to improve. (HT)

EP review: Ancient Tome - Final Tomb (2021)

Ancient Tome - Final Tomb

USA

Transylvanian Recordings

A cosmic portal emerges, breaking through the fabric of reality that transports us into a dark, chaotic and suffocating vortex. Such is the experience of this magnificent 4-track EP and the band's second release since their formation in 2020. This time they have managed to summon their art from the hands of Transylvanian Recordings as the first release was independently produced.

These void worshippers immerse us in the haunting vortex of their thoughts with this great performance of Blackened Doom Metal.

"Choleric" opens the album in a quiet manner. A clean guitar that seems to foreshadow what will come next, as bass and drums follow in gloomy synchrony. From one moment to the next, the distortion is present and begins to spread its noisy essence in all directions, occupying all of your attention. At a certain point the song picks up speed and I must say that it sounds massive, even though they could still have kept going with their super slow tempo and it would not have been a problem. They know how to take the listener down dark paths and still keep us informed of what's happening around us.

"Sycophants" continues in the same vein, throwing an avalanche of blows and screams coming from the bowels. The screams on this album are really tortured and a pleasure to listen to.

"The Ancient Crucht" has the best clean guitar, melody and drum percussion. It sounds really formidable, solid and ritualistic. It's like a long trance that conjures ancient and savage entities. The first 3 songs are over 6 minutes long and that's a great length (although we are used to much longer songs in this subgenre). It stretches out violently to express the darkness within.

"To Come To The End Of A Time Of Anxiety And Fear" is the last song on the album, which does not reach 2 minutes in length and is more of an outro which left me very curious as to what will come next in terms of production, rather than the feeling of an ending. Definitely recommended! (Catacombs Walker)

Album review: Gravewurm - Funeral Rites (2020)

 

Gravewurm – Funeral Rites

USA

Funeral Empire Records Ltd.

Gravewurm is an American black/death metal band formed in 1992, in the city of Clarion, Pennsylvania. In the span of 21 years they have released a whopping 17 full lengths, not including EPs, demos, or other releases. So it means they are no amateurs to their craft and it very much shows on their 16th full length, 'Funeral Rites', released at the beginning of last year.

Overall, this release is a well executed black/doom full-length. The delivery is menacing, focusing on a more midpaced, riff-oriented approach to black metal. Though the vocals don't have much dynamic to them, they are consistent, suit the music and are evil in delivery.

The guitar tone is appropriately bright and high gain to compliment the disgusting riffs excreting out, giving the listener a sample of how a chainsaw in their ear drums would feel. A solid balance of catchniness and depravity can be heard within the 10 songs on this album. The fluidity of how each song shifts into one another makes this album cohesive, keeping the listener captivated.

Funeral Rites almost sounds like a more black n' roll Craft or Carpathian Forest, whilst putting more emphasis on the "black" part of black n' roll. On top of all this, there are mid-paced thrashy riffs thrown into the mix as the cherry on top. Near the end, the album begins to sound mildly stagnant, however, I only felt this for the final song, which is a good thing. Funeral Rites ends up being exactly as long as it needs to be. This is an album I would recommend it to anyone who laments that black metal does not have enough real riffs these days. (AR)