The Obelisk Forum
http://forum.theobelisk.net/

You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this band
http://forum.theobelisk.net/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5503
Page 1 of 4

Author:  Shadow Kingdom [ Sun Sep 02, 2012 5:46 pm ]
Post subject:  You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this band

Image

I have a lot of time for Shadow Kingdom records; they continually unearth both items well worthy of resurrection and new releases of serious class. Basically they know Heavy Metal. So despite the fact I didn’t exactly get on withDenmark’s slightly war obsessed Altar Of Oblivion around their debut full length I wasn’t too unhappy to be handed this. Just not overjoyed.

So now you, gentle reader, find me sitting down to a three course meal compromised mostly of my own words, my foot and my hat. That or previously I was listening to the wrong band.

‘Where Darkness Is Light’ begins with a pretty traditional style riff; so far, so Candlemass. Then they lay the guitar melody over it. Then the huge vocals. Suddenly we are in completely different territory. This is cemented by ‘The Graveyard Of Broken Dreams’ which has a refrain to die for and also brings out an almost NWOBHM honesty on the riff and drums which repels any suggestions of pomposity before they even take shape. The subtle keyboards rise here and there bit are very much the opener of doors for those guitar and vocal melodies to enter by.

Melody its the key to Altar Of Oblivion. I’m not saying they are lightweight; far from it, they edge toward that epic doom sound a little bit Candlemass, a pinch maybe of Solstice in their imperious presentation only, the more heavy metal leanings of pre-Albert Witchfinder Spiritus Mortis. Wall Of Sleep or Magma Rise grasp of melody and a smidgen of Atlantean Kodex classicism oddly but perfectly hinted at and the darkness of the sublime Chilean masters Procession. But it is their use of wrenching, often bleak melody and the sounds conjured by their vocals and lead guitar harmonies that push them elsewhere. Maybe its the accent but the vocals, lead and harmony, kind of make me think of what Tyr might sound like if they tried their hand at doom. They rise and fall, beautiful and powerful, true metal singing full of power and emotion and the rest of the band are not outstripped, moving in perfect harmony with prodigious touch and talent. Listen to ‘In The Shadow Of The Gallows’ for a borderline brilliant example of voice, guitar and judicious keyboards flowing toward a song of so much heart and such amazing tunes and you will see what I mean. You can hear the crowd singing along to this when you close your eyes, and close them you will as the song seeps into your blood.

‘The Smoke Filled Room’, a short semi acoustic piece leads to the sheer brilliance of the epic ‘Sentenced In Absentia’ and the last song ‘Final Perfection’ which almost is.

Honestly, I don’t think there is another band out there that really sounds like Altar Of Oblivion at this moment in time. Sun Faced Apostles period Wall Of Sleep are the closest, perhaps, but this band ploughs a distinct furrow and this is epic power doom if you want to add an unneeded new sub genre. Whatever, this sophomore album is a frankly stunning, haunting piece of art full of such emotion and astounding grace that even with Saint Vitus and Bedemon having set the bar for doom this year you will not, I repeat Will Not, hear a finer doom metal album this year.

9.5/10 Gizmo

Listen to the whole album (multiple times for it to sink in).

http://shadowkingdomrecords.bandcamp.co ... f-defiance

Author:  Mr Neutron [ Sun Sep 02, 2012 10:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

evidently i'm not into doom, then.

Author:  cyberspaceship [ Sun Sep 02, 2012 10:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

The guy in the left corner looks like he didn't take his ADD medication.

Author:  Mr Neutron [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

he's probably just listening to pallbearer.

Author:  Ichabod [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 5:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

Sorry bro, I must not be into Doom Metal at all.

*Goes back to listening to Electric Wizard & Pilgrim to see if they sync in any significant way knowing full well that they don't but the weed is telling me too keep trying*

Author:  boltthrow [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

Liked everything but the vocals.

Author:  Jam8 [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

Candlemass is an apt comparison, both feature very stiff vocals, there's a sort of detached bored vibe going on. Though, with Robert Lowe Candlemass fixed that, he's not my favorite vocalist but he does seem to get into what he's singing, seems to give a shit. Messiah was just a theatrical goofball who had an almost deadpan delivery. He may have been fun to watch marching around in his robe and doing puppet dances, but it was something I never got into.

I prefer singers who seem to be feeling it. It's hard to really quantify, but I know it when I hear it, it's a 'soul' type thing. You know Wino's singing about things he feels.

I'm not saying Candlemass or Altar of Oblivion suck, but they're just...not what I want in Doom.

Author:  Shadow Kingdom [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

Jam8 wrote:
Candlemass is an apt comparison, both feature very stiff vocals, there's a sort of detached bored vibe going on. Though, with Robert Lowe Candlemass fixed that, he's not my favorite vocalist but he does seem to get into what he's singing, seems to give a shit. Messiah was just a theatrical goofball who had an almost deadpan delivery. He may have been fun to watch marching around in his robe and doing puppet dances, but it was something I never got into.

I prefer singers who seem to be feeling it. It's hard to really quantify, but I know it when I hear it, it's a 'soul' type thing. You know Wino's singing about things he feels.

I'm not saying Candlemass or Altar of Oblivion suck, but they're just...not what I want in Doom.


Altar of Oblivion have the most soulful vocalist in metal right now!

That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!

Candlemass is not what you want in Doom?

Author:  Shadow Kingdom [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

Mr Neutron wrote:
he's probably just listening to pallbearer.


Hahahaha.

Author:  whoshotthefrog [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 12:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

I'll just let what he said go in one ear and out the other.

Author:  koi [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 2:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

I tried this out a few weeks back actually, as I am on the Shadow Kingdom mailing list (that's right, I AM into Doom). But this band? No. No likey. Sorry.

Author:  Bongzilla [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 3:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

:::hoping for more butthurt from the OP:::

People like different things, chief

Author:  black aspirin [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

"You're not into ultimatums if you don't like this band"

Author:  Brave Sir Robin [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

candlemass is last thing i ever want in doom. this band ain't my brand neither bubs. went to see pentagram play relentless this weekend cuz that is but i guess i still not into doom by your standards.

Author:  Shadow Kingdom [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

Saying Candlemass is the last thing you want in Doom is like saying Black Sabbath is the last thing I want in metal.

Only the hip doom is welcome here I see. The hip labels like Relapse, Metal Blade, Rise Above can tell you what to listen to hehe.

Author:  black aspirin [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

Yes, we're all just lemmings for not liking the band that you do.

Author:  Jam8 [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

Shadow Kingdom wrote:
Altar of Oblivion have the most soulful vocalist in metal right now!


Mmmm, no, you sure dig on the bold proclamations. This Altar Of Oblivion guy sounds bored to me.

Not as bored as Messiah, but bored and like he's more worried about enunciating each word than feeling it. Just how it feels to me.

Different strokes.

Saint Vitus >>>> Candlemass. That's where I stand, I think the distinction is pretty clear.

And I'm not so much into Doom METAL, but Doom. To me there's a stylistic difference between Doom and Doom Metal, Doom Metal approaches things from a more progressive/classical way, which I mostly don't care for, I can think of a number of bands that given the influences and subject matter I should like, but like Candlemass they leave me cold.
Doom is the same influences, the same subject matter, but with less anal retentiveness about structure and recording. All those Maryland bands, Saint Vitus, Electric Wizard (I assume this will draw out the haters), that's where I fall. More rock than metal, more punk than prog.

Author:  The Lodger [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

Jam8 wrote:
Shadow Kingdom wrote:
Altar of Oblivion have the most soulful vocalist in metal right now!


Mmmm, no, you sure dig on the bold proclamations. This Altar Of Oblivion guy sounds bored to me.

Not as bored as Messiah, but bored and like he's more worried about enunciating each word than feeling it. Just how it feels to me.

Different strokes.

Saint Vitus >>>> Candlemass. That's where I stand, I think the distinction is pretty clear.

And I'm not so much into Doom METAL, but Doom. To me there's a stylistic difference between Doom and Doom Metal, Doom Metal approaches things from a more progressive/classical way, which I mostly don't care for, I can think of a number of bands that given the influences and subject matter I should like, but like Candlemass they leave me cold.
Doom is the same influences, the same subject matter, but with less anal retentiveness about structure and recording. All those Maryland bands, Saint Vitus, Electric Wizard (I assume this will draw out the haters), that's where I fall. More rock than metal, more punk than prog.


^THIS^ x 1,000

Author:  theyeti85 [ Tue Sep 04, 2012 1:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

Shadow Kingdom wrote:
Saying Candlemass is the last thing you want in Doom is like saying Black Sabbath is the last thing I want in metal.

Only the hip doom is welcome here I see. The hip labels like Relapse, Metal Blade, Rise Above can tell you what to listen to hehe.


Dude, I love most things you guys put out. But there's little sense in casting aspersions on Obelisk like this. You're more or less shitting in your own back yard. It's cool to be confident in your roster, but a little bit of humility goes a long way.

Author:  heavythisaxe [ Tue Sep 04, 2012 1:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

MY DOOM IS TROOER THAN YOUR DOOM...seriously guys...this shit is better left to the caped black metal types...it's also a lot funnier when they fire it up.

I will say this...fuck Terrorizer for doing a full edition devoted to doom metal that referenced Yob once...that was fucking malpractice.

Author:  Shadow Kingdom [ Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

theyeti85 wrote:
Shadow Kingdom wrote:
Saying Candlemass is the last thing you want in Doom is like saying Black Sabbath is the last thing I want in metal.

Only the hip doom is welcome here I see. The hip labels like Relapse, Metal Blade, Rise Above can tell you what to listen to hehe.


Dude, I love most things you guys put out. But there's little sense in casting aspersions on Obelisk like this. You're more or less shitting in your own back yard. It's cool to be confident in your roster, but a little bit of humility goes a long way.


What's wrong with what I said there? It's just an opinion. The thread was to get some discussion going on Traditional Doom. You guys are sensitive. You guys can like whatever you want, I don't care, It's just fun.

Author:  Shadow Kingdom [ Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

heavythisaxe wrote:
MY DOOM IS TROOER THAN YOUR DOOM...seriously guys...this shit is better left to the caped black metal types...it's also a lot funnier when they fire it up.



Who's saying that? The title of this thread is limited to how many letters (I wanted to put Traditional Doom in there) you can put in and it has some discussion going about what people like here...

Is anyone into Traditional Doom?

Author:  Shadow Kingdom [ Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

Jam8 wrote:
Shadow Kingdom wrote:
Altar of Oblivion have the most soulful vocalist in metal right now!


Mmmm, no, you sure dig on the bold proclamations. This Altar Of Oblivion guy sounds bored to me.



Bold is fun. Lukewarm is boring. You made your BOLD statements yourself after calling me out for doing it. I love that.

I love that you think this guy is boring. That's a good strong feeling. You should LOVE or HATE this guy's voice, that's the kind of reactions I like.

I didn't expect anyone here to love this, I would have been surprised if anyone here did though.

Author:  whoshotthefrog [ Tue Sep 04, 2012 12:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

boltthrow wrote:
Liked everything but the vocals.

Author:  heavythisaxe [ Tue Sep 04, 2012 1:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: You're not even into Doom Metal if you're not into this

You slagged on your rivals w/ the "hip doom" phrasing, dude...hence, my response...you've gotta good label...no need to slag on rivals.

Page 1 of 4 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/