Lycus - Demo MMXI (2011)

Demo, Graceless Recordings
May 18th, 2011

Genre: Doom Metal
Region: USA

Three "L" posts in a row.

Fucking awesome doom metal right here. I was tipped off to Lycus many months back but really didn't check them out until fairly recently, I regret not doing so sooner.

This demo is heavy, heavy shit. Monstrous doom that does not drone and wear on the listener, it has purpose and moves elegantly in huge, satisfying swaths of riffs. There are three tracks that hang around the 7-9 minute area, all three do not linger on one riff too long, and while they may be treading familiar ground they manage to add their own strong melodic mark on the genre.

It does not drift aimlessly. This demo has purpose and is tightly directed — a perfect expression of solemn, melancholic, beautiful and cavernous doom carefully paced and well executed. A deep vocal presence bolsters the despondent atmosphere with growls, roars and drawls while a steady down-tempo beat supports the buzzing, boulder splitting melodic guitars. The whole thing has an epic air around it, barely escaping funeral doom territory and remaining interesting. A slumbering giant that has awakened, graceful and doleful, trampling slowly through barren fields on an overcast day.

Much like other engrossing newer doom acts like Anhedonist and older monsters like Asunder this is one I wouldn't pass up. You can download/pay-what-you-want and listen to it on bandcamp, also The Flenser will be releasing it on vinyl soon. I suggest picking it up when they press it since the tape is sold out. A welcome addition to any doom fans collection. Follow them over here too.

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Jääportit / Umbra Nihil / Aarni / Caput LVIIIm - Tribute to H.P. Lovecraft - Yogsothery - Gate 1: Chaosmogonic Rituals of Fear (2010, Split)

Funeral Doom, Dark Ambient, Psychedelic, Drone

Finland

320 kb/s

From what I got, my friend found this album and bought on impulse. He gave it to me and said "I totally had to show you this." I'm glad he did, I'm a sucker for H.P. Lovecraft shit. At first, I wasn't expecting much but when I finally listened it grew on me. It's haunting, trippy, and very sifi. Basically what I feel when I read a story by Lovecraft. The track I have a problem with is Lovecraft Knew, as Aarni sounds kind of weak compared to the other artists here.

“Yog-Sothoth knows the gate. Yog-Sothoth is the gate. Yog-Sothoth is the key and guardian of the gate. Past, present, future, all are one in Yog-Sothoth. He knows where the Old Ones broke through of old, and where They shall break through again. He knows where They have trod earth's fields, and where They still tread them, and why no one can behold Them as They tread.”

H. P. Lovecraft, The Dunwich Horror

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Evoken - Antithesis of Light (2005)

Funeral Doom

USA

This is a repost from awhile back. (Actually, I think I posted it in another blog.) I have been listening to this again. I think it's a gem that shouldn't go unnoticed. Being Funeral Doom you should expect lots of slow riffs, chilling sounds and a dark atmosphere. You can compare this to the more popular bands of the genre, like Esoteric and even Ahab. When I draw the comparisons from Ahab, Ahab has a lot of let's say...

"Riffy hook moments."

Meaning, in some songs they play riffs where you can almost bob your head to. For example. Evoken have a lot of moments like that as well. Especially in songs like "In Solitary Ruin" and the title track. These moments change the pace from gloomy despair to crushing fear.

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