The long awaited return of legendary doom titans My Dying Bride is embodied by the soulful gloomy realm of the fourteenth album “The Ghost Of Orion” which proves that despite the many challenges the band’s unstoppable creative force is destined to prevail. 

“Your Broken Shore” immediately channels the immense misery that only My Dying Bride can truly express. The doom laden guitar riffs hold a unique raw energy perfectly matched by the vicious growls while an overwhelming melancholia emerges through the refined melodic phrases accompanied by the somber clean delivery. 

“To Outlive The Gods” maintains a heavy doom rhythm but definitely focuses more on enchanting and even quite accessible melodic textures emphasized by the graceful beauty of violins and the sorrowful guitar tonalities. 

“The Solace” has a minimalist structure stripped of the expected heavy rhythmic section in order to focus exclusively on the poignant guitar work and to enhance the captivating nature of the eloquent vocals performed by Lindy-Fay Hella of Wardruna.  

On “The Long Black Land” the classic dreadful doom nuances are prominent within the heavier venomous rhythmic patterns characterized by grave tonalities and mighty guitar riffs while the ethereal violin melodies add bittersweet romantic vibes and the painfully slower contemplative momentum is pure heart wrenching poetry. 

In the beginning “The Old Earth” conveys a peaceful nostalgia through the desolate guitar melodies and the dramatic depth of the clean vocals. Later the whole instrumentation will shift the focus to visceral doom laden dynamics and guitars will acquire major obscure tonalities shaping a lugubrious & hopeless sonic realm further amplified by the wretched growls. 

Listening to “The Ghost Of Orion” feels like a cathartic experience as you can perceive the harrowing emotional turmoil behind each song and My Dying Bride once again rightfully deserve to sit on the doom/death metal throne to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their magnificent career. 

 

Since their inception Brazilian legends Sepultura have successfully developed a groundbreaking irresistible sonic identity that for thirty five years has been gradually evolving into a complex creative force that today generates the majestic new album “Quadra”. 

The darkened essence of “Isolation” is dramatically enhanced by epic symphonic elements that will soon give way to a groovy series of massive thrash rhythmic blasts featuring abrasive guitar riffs, pummeling drums and towering growls. 

“Means To An End” immediately focuses on an unrestrained rhythmic rampage so the band’s signature thrash dynamics sound quite dominant leading to moshpit inducing grooves enriched by refined yet absolutely ravenous lead guitar work and a cathartic tribal momentum. 

“Last Time” stands out for the charismatic guitar work that since the very beginning showcases a modern progressive flair yet the rhythmic section definitely channels the undiluted rage of thrash metal with relentless guitar riffs accompanied by the perfect dosage of hostile growls. 

The mood changes on “Guardians Of Earth” beginning with soulful acoustic guitar harmonies followed by majestic operatic choirs that introduce a faster rhythm meticulously built by precise drumming and eclectic guitar phrases that will reach the acme with an inspiring solo so the thrash elements are still present but naturally embrace the evocative progressive composition. 

“The Pentagram” is an intense instrumental track that allows you to truly appreciate the stellar musicianship and also highlights a compelling sonic diversity as guitars shift from vitriolic riffage to complex prog oriented soloing constantly supported by a powerful impeccable rhythmic backbone. 

“Agony Of Defeat” is definitely a sophisticated track that evokes a profound melancholia with the somber elegance of the memorable intricate guitar melodies and the passionate clean vocal delivery and such fervent feelings are also expressed by the eloquent symphonic arrangements. 

Featuring guest vocalist Emily Barreto “Fear, Pain, Chaos, Suffering” carefully blends haunting melodic guitar progressions and fierce rhythmic segments generating a majestic groovy momentum in the midst of a profoundly darkened atmosphere. 

“Quadra” often manages to maintain an aggressive thrash metal momentum reminiscent of the early breakthrough discography but Sepultura are not really trying to rely exclusively on the same winning formula as they prove to be eager to move forward therefore you can expect some cool experimental ideas throughout the album.

 

We all know Marko Hietala as long standing member of the extremely successful Finnish band Nightwish but now the time has come for Marko to explore different music territories and express his personal creativity on the debut solo album “Pyre Of The Black Heart”.

“Stones” begins with soft arpeggios leading to a warm melancholia swiftly followed by the subtle prog elements of the energetic rhythmic section yet the multilayered orchestrations will maintain the main folkish melodic essence. 

“Dead God’s Son” aims to express somber emotions through heartfelt vocals and soothing guitar melodies but while the majority of the song follows a mellow rhythm there are occasional heavier moments built by raw riffage. 

“For You” offers a glowing mixture of lavish atmospheric arrangements and nostalgia infused harmonies creating a slightly darker introspective mood enhanced by the particularly passionate vocal delivery and the delightful melodic guitar leads. 

“I Am The Way” couldn’t sound more melancholic with comforting piano melodies in contrast with the modern flair of the synths and the occasional heavy guitar riffs yet the vocals and the whole instrumentation tend to maintain a shimmering melodic spirit throughout the song. 

“Death March For Freedom” focuses on a darkened groovy approach with the intriguing multifaceted keyboards and the sharp prog oriented guitar work following diverse rhythmic segments and ultimately leading to a catchy big chorus. 

The final track “Truth Shall Set You Free” is destined to move the listeners depicting a peaceful soundscape with evocative arpeggios, luminous violin melodies and understated atmospheric beauty that perfectly accompany the deeply emotional vocal harmonies. 

Listening to “Pyre Of The Black Heart” it becomes evident that Marko is not following a precise music direction as all these songs showcase various influences and such spontaneous songwriting approach will certainly surprise the audience.  

Featuring Greg Mackintosh of Paradise Lost and Chris Casket of Extreme Noise Terror  & Vallenfyre the new band Strigoi proudly unleashes an old school death metal inspired manifesto on the debut album “Abandon All Faith”. 

There is a fiery rage behind “Phantoms” as the rhythmic section delivers angered fast blasts yet something creepy lurks in the dark generating sinister guitar tonalities within the relentless riffage as well as the mournful doom tinged leads. 

“Seven Crowns” is full of smouldering grooves as the guitar riffs and drums truly channel the primal essence of classic death metal spiced up by menacing progressions and the savage growls can certainly amplify the inner turmoil. 

The sonic realm of “Carved Into The Skin” is made of desolation and misery focusing on monolithic doom laden grooves with utterly heavy riffs and gloomy guitar leads that can also evoke enthralling gothic vibes crafting melancholy infused melodies. 

On “Parasite” guitars acquire an abrasive industrial inspired sound enhanced by suspenseful atmospheric layers that introduce a malevolent rhythmic ensemble as the aggressive approach demands faster unstoppable riffs.  

“Plague Nation” again blends refined sorrowful doom elements with majestic fury as cavernous growls are surrounded by an overdose of ravenous guitar riffs while the evidently more melodic licks cut through the dense rhythmic patterns. 

The title track holds an arcane flair with extremely ominous chants and visceral growls emerging from the darkest depths and the instrumental ensemble is characterized by diabolical tonalities further enhanced by the cryptic doom style of the enticing guitar work. 

Greg seems to have a grand music vision in mind for Strigoi in fact while “Abandon All Faith” is just the first release it already showcases impressive musicianship and an inflamed creative force rightfully fueled by hostile dynamics drenched in darkness.  

Swedish doom band Avatarium returns in excellent shape to spellbind you with the grandiose melodic gloom incarnated by the latest full length “The Fire I Long For”. 

“Voices” invites you to enter a world of endless doom with the classic arcane vibes of the guitar riffs marching fiercely through the mighty & groovy rhythmic patterns embellished by the retro allure of organ melodies and Jennie-Ann Smith’s captivating vocal performance.  

While maintaining a fascinating darkened essence on “Rubicon” guitars acquire extremely catchy rock tonalities leading to a sultry melodic solo and memorable rhythmic dynamics surrounded by somber doom atmospheres and haunting organs. 

With a darkened dreamy mood “Lay Me Down” offers gorgeous sentimental melodic guitar progressions following a slower nostalgia infused rhythm surrounded by hazy atmospheric arrangements that allow Jennie-Ann’s passionate vocals to gain the deserved spotlight. 

The dark soul behind the composition of “Porcelain Skull” fully manifests through the grave rhythmic crescendos featuring the sober weight of doom laden guitar riffs and the eerie 70’s accents that will ultimately embrace a bewitching melodic flair emphasized by the soulful vocal delivery. 

You are destined to fall in love instantly with the seductive melodic grandeur of the title track as Jennie-Ann delivers flawless darkly romantic vocals to match the immense instrumental melancholia expressed by the slow burning guitar harmonies and the evocative warmth of the solo that certainly still channel a subtle traditional doomy feeling. 

“Epitaph Of Heroes” celebrates the undiluted darkness of doom metal relying on a massive series of impactful heavy guitar riffs and consequent monolithic grooves enriched by the solemn vocals glowing within the addictive chorus and the vibrant organs providing the perfect dosage of eerie vibes and moody vintage elements. 

“The Fire I Long For” deserves your utmost attention and might be the album that ultimately puts Avatarium in the spotlight as they have created a truly magnificent opus fueled by the timeless magic of classic doom and an enticing melodic composition.