Catacombe - Kinetic (2010)

Se olharmos com um pouco de atenção para o cenário metálico português, torna-se por demais evidente que, ao longo destes últimos anos, o número de bandas/projectos aumentou consideravelmente e que gozam de alguma exposição, pelo menos a nível interno com os regulares concertos que são organizados e a facilidade de gravação que hoje existe; por outro lado, dessa miríade de bandas, nota-se uma significativa ausência de trabalhos que se enquadrem na esfera em que se movimentam estes Catacombe: Post Rock/Metal. Polémicas e discussões à parte, o facto é que a década que findou ficou marcada indelevelmente por este tipo de sonoridade, muito por culpa (no bom sentido, está claro!) de nomes como Isis, Pelican, Neurosis, Explosions In The Sky ou Mono, antes de atingir um ponto que se aproxima muito rapidamente da saturação e onde, no futuro, somente a qualidade prevalecerá ou então quem soube trilhar a pulso o seu caminho.

Os nortenhos Catacombe, serão um dos poucos exemplos portugueses a enveredar por este tipo de sons, e após o lançamento do seu registo de estreia, o EP "Memoirs", em 2008, causaram algum burburinho, não só pela qualidade dos seus temas, mas também pela partilha de palco com nomes como os Minsk ou os Nadja; efeito sintomático, portanto.

O que, inicialmente, era um projecto a solo de Pedro Sobast, rapidamente evoluiu para o formato banda e é esse mesmo formato que apresenta hoje "Kinetic" (apesar de tudo estar sob a batuta de Sobast), o seu primeiro longa-duração, composto por sete temas que mais não são do que um desfiar de emoções, uma pintura sobre uma tela nua, que nos vai transportando por diferentes ambientes, cada um com a sua cor, ora mais doce e cândido, ora mais agreste. No fundo, o que aqui temos é o passo seguinte à estreia, só que recheado de temas com muito boa qualidade; novidades a nível musical aqui não abundam, mas nem sempre os bons discos se demarcam dos demais pela originalidade, mas sim por que são... bons! As influências continuam lá, mais ou menos esbatidas, consoante a obra de arte vai ganhando forma, sob a paleta de comando de seis cores nas mãos de Sobast. "Anna-Liisa", "Cavalgada Épica" ou "Mockba" serão as melhores pinceladas neste quadro belo, abstracto, mas onde as emoções são quase palpáveis. (16/20)

English:
If we look with a little attention to the Portuguese metal scene, it becomes obvious that, over recent years, the number of bands/projects has increased dramatically and that have a certain exposure, at least at home with regular concerts that are organized and ease of recording that exists today, on the other hand, this myriad of bands, there is a significant lack of works that fall within the sphere in which they move Catacombe: Post Rock/Metal. Discussions and polemics aside, the fact is that the decade just ended was indelibly marked by this kind of sound, much to blame (in a good way, of course!) names like Isis, Pelican, Neurosis, Explosions In The Sky or Mono before reaching a point rapidly approaching saturation, and where, in future, only quality will prevail or else who knew the pulse walk your way.
The northerners Catacombe will be one of the few portuguese examples to embark on this kind of sounds, and after the release of their debut recording, the EP "Memoirs" in 2008, caused some buzz, not only by the quality of his songs, but also by sharing the stage with names like Minsk or Nadja; symptomatic effect, therefore.
What initially was a solo project of Peter Sobast, quickly evolved into the band format and this is the same format that presents today "Kinetic" (after all be under the baton of Sobast), his first long-duration, composed by seven themes that are no more than a shred of emotion, a painting on a canvas bare, we will by carrying different environments, each with its color, sometimes more sweet and innocent, sometimes more harsh. Basically, what we have here is the step following the premiere, filled with themes that only with very good quality; news on music here not plentiful, but not always the good disks to demarcate the other for originality, but because they are ... good! The influences are still there, more or less blurred, depending on the artwork takes shape, under the command palette of six colors in the hands of Sobast. "Anna-Liisa", "Epic Ride" or "Mockba" will be the best strokes in this beautiful picture, abstract, but when emotions are almost palpable. (16/20)

Link: http://www.myspace.com/catacombeband 

Olde Crone - Olde Crone (2009)

Os Olde Crone já não o são. Pouco depois do lançamento deste seu álbum de estreia cessaram funções, o que não deixa de ser estranho visto que as sete músicas que perfazem este "Olde Crone" são boas, revestidas de Stoner/Doom Metal sem grandes floreados, inspirados numa cartilha que nos remete para o enorme legado "sabbathiano", para uns Pentagram e também Electric Wizard - quando lhes dá para o lado psicadélico -, ou Pombagira, por exemplo.

Assim, sem estarmos perante o disco que irá revolucionar as nossas vidas, mas tão somente um bom trabalho que nos irá fazer passar um bom bocado enquanto o ouvimos, à medida que uma boa mão cheia de cervejas desaparece goela abaixo, podemos dizer que este quarteto britânico soube construir temas longos, sóbrios (ou ébrios, conforme os gostos), com algum músculo, com alguns riffs engraçados, mas onde existiu sempre espaço para algum devaneio, com uma piscadela de olho ao Southern Rock, improviso, fugindo aos pergaminhos que ditam a estruturas das canções; eles fizeram um bocado o que lhes deu na real gana, foi o que foi! E isso será sempre de valorizar. "Blue Iris" ou "Olde Crone (Chapter 2)" são reflexo disso mesmo, principalmente no segundo exemplo, onde a par de riffs que tresandam stoner por todos os poros convivem harmoniosamente com passagens acústicas, com um leve travo a Oriente, deixando-nos a pensar sobre as misturas que ainda faltam fazer na música, no Metal mais especificamente. Não, não é que aqui haja algum tipo de novidade! O discorrer do álbum proporciona isso mesmo, essa leve introspecção, por entre os ritmos cadenciados e a tender para o lento e as guitarras duras nos seus main riffs e, igualmente, languidas nas fases mais experimentais.

É pena que, por ora, não tenhamos mais novidades desta banda, porque esta viagem teve piada e gostaríamos de repetir a dose... com novos temas.

Entretanto, abre-se mais uma cerveja (repeat mode on). (14/20)

English:

The Olde Crone already are not. Shortly after the release of their debut album had ceased to function, which does not cease to be odd since the seven songs on this "Olde Crone" being good, coated with Stoner/Doom Metal without major frills, inspired by a booklet that brings us to the enormous sabbathian legacy, and also for some Pentagram and Electric Wizard - when they give to the psychedelic side -, or Pombagira, for example.
Thus, if we were to the disk that will revolutionize our lives, but only a good work we do will have a good time while we hear, as a handful of good beer disappears below the throat, we can say that this british quartet able to build long themes, sober (or drunk, according to taste), with some muscle, with some funny riffs, but where there is always room for a daydream, with a wink to Southern Rock and improvisation, fleeing to the scrolls that dictate the structure of the songs, they did a bit which gave them the “real Ghana” (portuguese expression), was what it was! And it will always be of value. "Blue Iris" or "Olde Crone (Chapter 2)" are a reflection of this, especially in the second example, where the pair of loops that stink from every pore stoner live harmoniously with acoustic passages, with a slight bitterness in the East (!) , leaving us to think about the mixes that have yet to make music, or more specifically in the metal. No, it is here that there is some kind of novelty! The course of the album provides just that, this mild introspection, amid cadenced rhythms and tends to slow and the hard guitar riffs in their main and also faint in most experimental phases.
It is unfortunate that, for now, we have no more news of this band, because this trip was funny and would like to repeat it ... with new themes.
However, it opens another beer (repeat mode on). (14/20)

Link: http://www.myspace.com/oldecrone

Ophis - Withered Shades (2010)

Os mais incautos que derem de caras com este "Withered Shades" irá pensar que estamos perante mais um projecto de Black Metal; a imagem da capa, as cores e o pentagrama invertido poderão sugerir isso mesmo.

No entanto, estes germânicos movimentam-se pelos meandros do Doom/Death Metal, com alguns pózinhos de Funeral de quando em vez, e lançaram este ano o seu segundo álbum.

Quem acompanha a carreira da banda desde os tempos da demo "Empty, Silent And Cold", certamente terá registado uma notável evolução qualitativa no som e nas estruturas dos temas, como que num crescendo, ouça-se "Pazuzu" presente na referida demo e no registo de estreia e as diferenças saltam logo à vista; na primeira, onde se verifica um tom ainda naif, enquanto que em "Streams Of Misery" o som e poder da mesma encostam-nos à parede, após aquela intro deliciosamente escabrosa, deixando-nos atordoados após esses dolorosos minutos que são da mais rica qualidade exposta nesse registo.

Três anos depois, os Ophis chegam-nos com mais uma mão cheia de temas que se regem, grosso modo, pela mesma linha orientadora, embora aqui se note uma maior propensão para uma exploração até à exaustão de algumas linhas de guitarra e bases rítmicas - não sendo, desta forma, de estranhar que a maioria destes novos sons andem bem acima da dezena de minutos -, mas ao mesmo tempo, mostrando uma capacidade de composição mais refinada, na linha evolutiva que já falámos, aproximando-se, em alguns momentos de momentos mais melódicos que nos fazem lembrar os Swallow The Sun, por exemplo. A generalidade dos temas aposta em ritmos bem lentos, quase funéreos - ouça-se "Earth Expired" -, abrindo mais uma porta na abordagem musical que poderá trazer uma mais-valia para o som destes germânicos.

"The Halls Of Sorrow",  irrompe pelas colunas e quase que resume todos os 45 minutos seguintes; evidencia que esta banda está, no seu todo, num patamar superior. Não há falhas a registar, a máquina está bem oleada e coesa, há tempo para momentos de calmaria e outros de maior rispidez,sempre em doses equilibradas, ou seja, antevemos uns Ophis a caminho de um amadurecimento musical significativo, com uma personalidade bem vincada, um som bem definido e, acima de tudo, a garantia de trabalhos de qualidade acima da média.
Haja alguém que os traga cá para comprovarmos isso mesmo! (17/20)

English:

The most exclusive of unsuspecting people who face this "Withered Shades" will think that this is another project of Black Metal. The image of the cover and the booklet in general, the colors used and the inverted pentagram may suggest that.
However, these Germans move up the meanders of the Doom/Death Metal, with some of Funeral powder, and released their second album this year.
Those who follow the band's career since the days of the demo "Empty, Silent And Cold", will certainly have registered a remarkable evolution in sound and qualitative structure of the themes, like a crescendo - listen "Pazuzu," present at the demo and first album and the differences immediately appear, at first, where there is an even naive while in "Streams Of Misery" sound the same power and lean on the wall. After the intro delightfully scabrous, leaving us stunned, all those painful minutes of the richest quality are related in that register.
Three years later, the Ophis get us over a handful of themes that are governed roughly the same guideline, but here we note a greater propensity for a farm to exhaust some guitar lines and rhythmic foundation - is not thus surprising that most of these new sounds and to walk up ten minutes - but at the same time, showing a capacity of more refined composition, in the evolutionary line that we talked about, coming up on some good points more melodic moments that remind us Swallow The Sun, for example. A majority of bets on themes and rhythms slow, almost funereal - listen to "Earth Expired" - opening the door in a more musical approach that can bring added value to the sound of these Germans.
"The Halls Of Sorrow," which opens the album, after a slow start captivating, erupts from the speakers on full plenitude of his power and that sums up almost all 45 minutes; shows that this band is on the whole, a higher plateau. No failures to record, the machine is well oiled, cohesive, there is time for moments of calm and others sharply higher doses always balanced, ie each Ophis anticipate the path of a meaningful musical maturity, with a personality and stark, a defined sound and, above all, ensuring quality work above average.
There is someone who brings them to our holy ground, to give you an idea about it! (17/20)

Link: http://www.ophisdoom.de/

         http://www.myspace.com/ophisdoom

Boas Festas

Imbuídos pelo espírito da quadra que agora se atravessa, o Temple Of Doom Metal vem desejar a todos os votos de um bom Natal e um excelente ano de 2011, preferencialmente com muito metal à mistura.

Solitude Productions, BadMoodMan Music & Slow Burn Records - Novos Lançamentos (New Releases)

 

No seguimento da parceria de divulgação estabelecida com a Solitude Productions, BadMoodMan Music e a Slow Burn Records, anunciamos aqui os novos lançamentos destas labels.

SP. 042-10 Shattered Hope – Absence

(release date 20.12.2010)

The first full-length album of a Greek band representing the result of a long artistic way. High-quality atmospheric doom death metal in the very traditions of the genre features outstanding melodies, musical diversity and virtuosic performance. Additional vocals feature guest appearance of frontmen of such bands as Saturnus and Ataraxie. An instrumental part includes guest appearance of violins and cello.

 SP. 043-10 Helllight – …And Then, The Light Of Consciousness Became Hell…

(release date 20.12.2010)

The third album of a Brazilian band demonstrates the further progress of the musicians. Six epic tracks featured on the album are filled with deep tragic passion created by solid guitar sound and rich keyboards. Dense sound and interesting melodies distinguish the album among their other works. Piano interludes, mid-tempo fragments and clean vocals make the new album of HellLight an outstanding example of funeral doom death metal.

BMM. 039-10 Raventale – After

(release date 15.12.2010)

The fourth album of the famous Ukranian project Raventale demonstrates artistic evolution of its only member hidden beneath Astaroth name. On the one hand the new work named “After” continues the tendencies of the previous album with its mood and concept; on the other hand this is a standing alone masterpiece progressing from black/doom metal style to depressive black realm. The ideas behind this album demonstrate author’s thoughts about eternity and its decay, about the cyclic nature of life and being, about the destruction of this reincarnation cycle by the nature itself. Without any doubt the album can be treated as the best album of Raventale that has been ever created. The gold-plated CD with pit-art comes with a booklet printed on a golden paper which makes “After” a must-have item for your music collection and an outstanding present for any adept of the genre.

BMM. 040-10 Amber Tears – The Key To December

(release date 15.12.2010)

The long-awaited second album of the most famous Russian pagan/doom metal band Amber Tears being one of the best representatives of Russian pagan scene. Having started their way as followers of the cult Belorussian band Gods Tower Amber Tears demonstrate their own unique face at the second album “A Key for December”. Basing on folk motives and lyrics featuring folk tradition the musicians added doom death metal elements with all their slowness and weight to their music. The Russian traditional musical instrument gusli appearing on the album underlines the mental connection of Amber Tears work with traditional Russian music which is organically fused with modern melodic doom metal features. This album is indeed a milestone!

BURN 006-10 A Cold Dead Body – Harvest Years

(release date 16.12.2010)

Debut A Cold Dead Body’s album “Harvest Years” is a trail through 9 steps, from the "Semen" to the "Divinity". There is a story inside the album, not just music and words. Music and words create the atmosphere, but the written story has the sense of the whole album. It's a concept about a journey, about human ambition, about the conflict between humanity and nature, it's a concept based on the sense of life, technology and the meaning of death. Recorded and mixed at: Mushroom Studio, by Enrico Berto. Mastered by James Plotkin (Khanate, Sunn O))), Isis, Pelican, Earth). One of the best acts around. Must have!! CD released in Cardboard (Mini LP) Sleeve pack.

BURN 007-10 Catacombe – Kinetic

(release date 18.12.2010)

Debut album of Portuguese band Catacombe uniquely combines modern metal and post rock. Developing the ideas of their first EP “Memoirs” the band makes a pronouncing step of their way of creating memorable sound. The music features fine guitar passages, heavy riffs and complex melodic constructions. The album was recorded in January/March 2010 at Soundvision Studios. Mastering is performed by James Plotkin (Isis, Khanate, Pelican, Earth). The CD comes in noble Cardboard (Mini LP) Sleeve.

Archon - The Ruins At Dusk (2010)

Esta recta final de 2010 tem reservado alguns bons trabalhos, fazendo prevalecer o adágio "Até ao lavar dos cestos é vindima", e no espectro do Sludge/Doom fomos confrontados ultimamente com alguns registos que não nos passaram indiferentes: o novo álbum dos Salome, "Terminal", já dissecado por estas bandas e este disco de estreia dos, igualmente, norte-americanos Archon. Apesar de serem bem diferentes na sua abordagem musical, acabam por transmitir um conjunto de sensações algo similares, pintadas sob uma paleta de cinzentos bem carregados.

Alicerçados em bandas clássicas como os Black Sabbath ou Pentagram, adicionam à sua sonoridade nuances que nos remetem para uns Electric Wizard ou entram de cabeça em campos mais experimentais onde os Neurosis afloram de imediato.

Assim, com este retrato, que dizer deste "The Ruins At Dusk"? O que nos parece mais óbvio, ou seja, o caldeirão de influências referido resultou em quatro temas de boa qualidade, pesados mas sem perder a noção de melodia, com uma acentuada vertente instrumental bastante interessante - ouça-se a parte final de "Helena (Ruins At Dusk)" ou a desconcertante "The Fate Of Gods" que, ao longo dos seus «singelos» 21 minutos, condensa a sonoridade deste septeto (que conta com um violoncelista! na lista de colaboradores da banda), demonstrando que apesar de se movimentar num círculo bastante sobrepovoado de projectos, apontam linhas de evolução e de abordagem para a sua sonoridade, podendo criar para si e para nós algumas expectativas de um futuro minimamente auspicioso. Se conseguiram musicar o destino dos deuses, aguardamos mais alguns sons do seu próprio destino, então. (14/20)

English:
This final stretch of 2010 has reserved some good works, thus creating the adage "By the washing of the baskets is harvest”, and the specter of Sludge/Doom lately we have been confronted with some records that we have not stayed indifferent: the new album by Salome, "Terminal", as been dissected here a couple of weeks ago and this album's debut, also, American Archon. Although they are quite different in its musical approach, ultimately convey a somewhat similar set of sensations, painted in a palette of grays and loaded.
Rooted in classic bands like Black Sabbath or Pentagram, add nuances to their sound that brings us to some Electric Wizard or go head first into more experimental fields where Neurosis arise immediately.
So with this picture, what about this "The Ruins At Dusk"? What seems most obvious, is the melting pot of influences that resulted in four themes of good quality, heavy but without losing the sense of melody, with a steep slope very interesting instrumental - listen to the final part of "Helen ( Ruins At Dusk) "or the perplexing" The Fate Of Gods ", which, throughout its 'quaint' 21 minutes, captures the sound of this septet (which features a cellist! list of collaborators in the band), demonstrating that despite moving in a circle rather overcrowded project, indicate lines of evolution and approach to its sound, can create for themselves and for us some expectations of future minimally auspicious. If getting music the fate of the gods, look for some more sounds of their own destiny, then. (14/20)


Links: http://archondoom.com/
           http://www.myspace.com/archondoom

Solitude Productions & Slow Burn Records - Novos Lançamentos (New Releases)

 

No seguimento da parceria de divulgação estabelecida com a Solitude Productions e a Slow Burn Records, anunciamos aqui os novos lançamentos destas labels.

 

SP. 040-10 Septic Mind – The Beginning

(release date 30.11.2010)

A debut album of a Russian band Septic Mind. They presented themselves to the audience at Moscow Doom Festival V, performing at the same stage with Esoteric, Pantheist and Jack Frost, and attracting attention of the fans of the genre. Being followers of Esoteric the musicians evolve from traditional funeral doom to different experiments. Septic Mind have remastered their demo record providing really extreme sound progressing from powerful guitar riffs through noise effects to atmospheric keyboard interludes reflecting the mail concept of the album, the coldness and infinity of cosmos.

 

SP. 041-10 Who Dies In Siberian Slush – Вitterness Of The Years That Are Lost

(release date 30.11.2010)

The first full line-up album of the project recently appeared as one-man-band. This is the first officially issued work of the band: some tracks were featured at early demo recordings, but now they are reviewed and performed with supreme power and quality. Recording and mastering were performed at Primordial Studio (Abstract Spirit, Revelations of Rain, Comatose Vigil).

“Bitterness Of The Years That Are Lost” presents uncompromising music combining Doom Death and Funeral Doom in the vein of My Shameful. The album features guest appearance of vocalists of Comatose Vigil, Amber Tears, Elnordia, Abstract Spirit.

 

BURN 002-10 Talbot – Eos

(release date 01.12.2010)

The first full-length album of Estonian duet Talbot attract attention by its originality: the although the music is played without a guitar, it features fine melodies and solid sound, while sound blast created by bass and drums can serve as a standard for other modern bands. Talbot music features elements of various music genres from post rock to traditional doom metal thus creating unique atmosphere and memorable sound. The CD as a digipak. Limited edition 500 copies.

 

BURN 003-10 The Death Of Her Money – You Are Loved

(release date 01.12.2010)

 

New work of British band The Death Of Her Money features traditions laid in their previous albums while demonstrating higher level of songwriting and sound performance. The album is kept in the vein of best representatives of modern post metal scene. First 500 copies come in digipak format.

 

BURN 004-10 The Deadists – Time Without Light

(release date 05.12.2010)

Swedish band The Deadists cannot be definitely classified: featuring sound elements of such different bands as Black Sabbath, Entombed, Hawkwind, High On Fire, Sleep, The Melvins и Neurosis they created their own unique sound. Fans of modern metalcore will love their powerful guitar riffs.  Persent EP “Time Without Light” unlike its digital version features hidden track “Blizzard Of Nails”. Mastered by Goran Finnberg (Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, Opeth, M.A.N.).

BURN 005-10 Steny Lda – Steny Lda (Walls of Ice)

 (release date 05.12.2010)

With their self-titled debut album (Steny Lda) Walls of Ice introduce themselves as one of the best representatives of actively developing Russian post metal scene. All eight album compositions create a single canvas with heavy guitar riffs, melodic interludes and solos pierced with atmosphere of estrangement, gloom and reign of northern frost, winter and primal nature.

Links: http://www.solitude-prod.com/

           http://slowburn.ru/