Page 92 - Metal Hammer Issue 334 - UK (May 2020)
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ALBUM REVIEWS
before Ryanne’s spell-
binding confidence holds
sway amidst the hypnotic
rhythms of A Glass Forest.
Be Your Sins ups the energy
with a classically galloping
riff before its eight-minute
closing pilgrimage, Dust
DISBELIEF & Shadow. The record is
The Ground Collapses bolstered by Opeth’s Per
LISTENABLE Wiberg providing layers of
Earth-shaking return from veteran Hammond organ and the
German death/doom metallers formidable backing vocals
After a seven-year wait for of Farida Lemouchi (ex-The
2017’s The Symbol Of Death, Devil’s Blood). Bold and
Disbelief have been more searching, Summerland is
prompt with album 11. the sound of a band who
Another assault of towering have found themselves.
riffs shot through with QQQQQQQQQQ
melancholic melody, it’s FOR FANS OF: Lucifer,
also a more accomplished Jex Thoth, Hexvessel
affair with both guitarist TOM O’BOYLE
David Renner and drummer
Fabian Regmann having had
more time to bed in. Colder
Elephant Tree engage in Than Ice and the slowly
some blue-sky thinking
building Insane are focal
ELEPHANT TREE leads, as Disbelief bombard
points for Renner’s sombre
the most extreme end of
Habits the melodic death scale. EARTH ROT
Karsten Jäger’s vocals could
cleave meat from bone,
HOLY ROAR and Soul Destructor and The Black Tides Of Obscurity
SEASON OF MIST
Melancholy doom squad present their most expansive work yet Awakening are songs to Perth’s black/death brutalists stick
ascend summits to, while to the rulebook
the pummelling double When it comes to metal,
OVER SEVEN YEARS, two albums Wasted and the absolutely beautiful, bass on Depth Of Sorrow ups Australia is a land of
and a host of sweat-drenched, speaker- unexpectedly gentle centrepiece, The the tempo with relish. extremes. Bands seem to
blowing live shows, London’s Elephant Fall Chorus, demonstrate just how strong, QQQQQQQQQQ either be amazingly original
Tree have carved out a very personal and memorable and effective the band’s FOR FANS OF: Amon (Caligula’s Horse, Ne
distinctive niche amidst the UK’s shimmering vocal hooks have become. Amarth, Illdisposed, Obliviscaris, Karnivool), or
flourishing doom scene. Their lighter moments Dew-Scented generic loyalists clinging to
Drawing tastefully from may feel more accessible ADAM REES sounds European bands
psychedelia, blues, prog than ever before, but riff outgrew 20 years ago. Earth
rock and even pop, they’ve addicts needn’t worry Rot are the latter. On their
never compromised their about Elephant Tree losing third album, the blackened
nod-inducing heaviness. their edge as Habits also death metal crew still owe
Without meaning to contains some of the their identity to the likes of
diminish any of the band’s band’s heaviest material Belphegor and Abominator.
prior achievements, to date. The mournful Exit Tremolo picking and
however, all of that now The Soul pairs swampy bass unintelligible gargling
feels like a warm-up for tones against yearning always rule the roost here.
Habits, easily their most guitar leads and emotive, DOOL There are some moments
cohesive and powerful statement to date. forlorn melodies in a way that would Summerland of originality, such as the
This is apparent as soon as anthemic make Pallbearer proud, and dynamic PROPHECY PRODUCTIONS more melodic guitar leads
opener Sails roars out of your speakers, closer Broken Nails allows its truly Mystic Dutch rockers embark on an of Towards A Godless Shrine.
smashing together thick, weighty riffs haunting, folky vocal harmonies enough exquisite and inquisitive quest But even those quickly lose
with glistening, crystalline vocal room to breathe before building to a Dutch quintet Dool steam as the track limps
melodies in a manner very reminiscent of gigantic, overwhelmingly sad crescendo. impressed with their 2017 through its excessive
Torche. It manages to sound impossibly, Far from just another stoner doom debut, Here Now, There Then five-and-a-half-minute
crushingly heavy while simultaneously album, Habits is a beautiful, heartfelt – a darkling combination run-time. Some more
feeling incredibly breezy and light on its and powerful opus painted in rich, warm of hard rock and doom-lite varied and succinct
feet, nailing that sweet spot between hues of both joy and sorrow, and is easily elevated by the resounding songwriting would do Earth
flattening amp-worship and ecstatic, Elephant Tree’s finest hour so far. power of vocalist Ryanne Rot a world of good.
summery pop euphoria. Faceless and Bird QQQQQQQQQQ van Dorst. Summerland’s QQQQQQQQQQ
keep the same vibe while introducing FOR FANS OF: Torche, Pallbearer, Low foreboding tolling of bells FOR FANS OF: Belphegor,
huge, dreamy chords à la Siamese Dream- Flying Hawks during the intro of Sulphur Marduk, Thy Antichrist
era Smashing Pumpkins, whereas KEZ WHELAN & Starlight tingles the spine, MATT MILLS
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