Death! But With Even More Doom!
Suck it Hans, we are doing this again.
Rothadás – Töviskert… a kísértés örök érzete… lidércharang (March 21)
In these dark and uncertain times, we all need a little support and help from those around us to lift our spirits and remind ourselves that nothing is forever. All that bears down on you is temporary and the love of our families, friends, and metal blog acquaintances will be there as moral and spiritual guides to assist you through that which negatively besets you. Then comes along the Hungarian duo Rothadás to crush all happiness and optimism that you have left. Now if you are like me, you most likely do not read or speak the notoriously difficult language of Hungarian, but that matters not when the message of pure devastation is this clear.
If you want impossibly heavy riffs paired with crushing drumming, well Töviskert… a kísértés örök érzete… lidércharang has got you covered, and then some. Sonic pummelings such as this are rarely executed to such haunting perfection, but don’t let that lure you into a state of comfort as each track traverses through shifts of rage and darkness. The production is huge and overwhelming, but subtle enough to allow each component to shine. Take the likes of Spectral Voice crossed with Coffins or Apparition and then prepare yourself for the punishment to come. Brutal but thoroughly engaging from end to end.
Contemplation – Au bord du precipice (March 20)
In my initial death/doom post for this year, I included an EP from Memorandum which I fan-girled about over the beautiful inclusion of violin, synth, and flute along with the morose traditional instrumentation of the genre. Well, now I have discovered another welcome addition to the fold of melancholic death/doom in 2025 with the French one-man project Contemplation. This was my initial introduction to the band and the immediate impression left upon me was unavoidable. “Stunning” may be an apt descriptor, as sole member Matthieu Ducheine beautifully combines folk and atmosphere along with unique riffing and soaring passages all while not neglecting the harsh and devastating aspects.
Along for the ride with the usual suspects of guitars, drums, and gutturals are additional instruments such as violin, “dub” electronics (think more spacey atmosphere), and acoustic instrumentation. Reading the descriptors, one could be forgiven for thinking this likely sounds like a muddled mess, but the exact opposite is true. Masterful performances and composition prove that Au bord du precipice is not to be overlooked. Simultaneously uplifting and heartbreaking, my consciousness simply could not be disentangled from the constant musical variations and gloomy atmosphere. What a truly unique and engaging listen that left me enthralled, wanting nothing more than to relisten with immediate haste.
A Flock Named Murder – Incendiary Sanctum (May 2)
And now a glance into the near future and what awaits us. Good news everyone, it’s even more great death/doom! Just what I needed to continue this trudge through the mundanity that is life. Another project that is new to me, A Flock Named Murder is a Canadian group that leans slightly more into the bombastic side of low and slow death metal. It isn’t often that a band new to me can sell themselves well with just a single track, but the available single “Pierced Flesh Catharsis” accomplished just that. Clocking in at just over 13 minutes, I was instantly intrigues by the deft blending of melodic riffing and tasteful blasting that then transitions to soul-crushing sadness.
If you enjoy the work of such acts as Fires in the Distance and Officium Triste, then have I got a gift for you. Also, how could one at least not be slightly intrigued by that album art by none other than Adam Burke? Though there is only one track currently to go off of, the mastery with which this trio play off one another is impressive due to the constant tempo and stylistic shifts. When the track needs it, playful drumming assists the major scale riffs for an uplifting feeling, but when it’s time to get gloomy, the songwriting confidently shifts with no punches pulled. Label me incredibly intrigued to listen to Incendiary Sanctum in full immediately upon its release. Man, what a year death/doom is having already.
