The Temple of Doom

The Batlord · 10-09-2021, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Can I suggest you post some videos? Your descriptions are great, but I think we'd like to hear the music you're talking about. Usually in journals people tend to accompany their writing with examples from YouTube; maybe you don't have access or have some other reason not to do that, but if you could I think it would really help.

The gall.

rubber soul · 10-09-2021, 02:52 PM

He might need to figure out how to post the vids first (go advanced, wrap youtube tags around the video code if you don't know, legal)

LEGALISE DRUGS AND MURDER · 10-09-2021, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Can I suggest you post some videos? Your descriptions are great, but I think we'd like to hear the music you're talking about. Usually in journals people tend to accompany their writing with examples from YouTube; maybe you don't have access or have some other reason not to do that, but if you could I think it would really help.

Fine but only because I actually want people to listen to doom albums other than Dopethrone.

LEGALISE DRUGS AND MURDER · 10-09-2021, 07:47 PM

CANDLEMASS - EPICUS DOOMICUS METALLICUS (1986)

Ok so, I get it. This is cheesy. You should have expected that on an album called Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (the name of which coined both "epic doom metal" and "doom metal" in general in 1986). You're in for some operatic, soaring vocals, high fantasy, and lots of melodrama. Epic doom metal, of course, is sort of doom's take on power metal.

If you're not into that, I understand, but I think it's kind of a shame, because underneath everything this is a really well put together, all killer no filler, doom album showcasing basically flawless execution of the genres fundamentals. The material is so compelling that I really encourage people to give it a chance. Every track is a banger, with catchy but heavy riffs and well put together songs. Sing along, embarrass yourself.

It helps, too, that Candlemass is actually, along with Saint Vitus, one of the heaviest and slowest bands operating during this era. They actually spend most of this LP dishing out heavy riffs and thundering drums, and the follow-up is even more guitaristic and straightforward. So understand that this album is not some kind of watered down metal for fantasy geeks.

This was the moment that people began to put a name to the kind of music that all these post-sabbath bands were playing. I think, for that reason, I constitutes a big part of what we think of when we think of doom metal today. It's the archetype for a lot of later albums, and not just the "epic" ones.

There are just so many goddamn anthems on this thing that I hope people will sit with its cheese factor. This is a masterpiece. Straight doomalicious.

Sitting here alone in darkness waiting to be free
Lonely and forlorn I am crying

Trollheart · 10-09-2021, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

The gall.

This from the man who told me people wouldn't read my stuff without videos to watch!

The Batlord · 10-09-2021, 10:40 PM

Proving my point to own me. A cunning strategy.

LEGALISE DRUGS AND MURDER · 10-09-2021, 10:54 PM

SKEPTICISM - STORMCROWFLEET (1995)

Ok so, first of all, you want to avoid the 2000s remaster of this album, which is dog**** and find either the original version or the "new mix" done in 2018, which is what's on Spotify. Not sure why the first remaster is so terrible, but it sounds tinny and distant, and ambient moments are basically unintelligible.

The direction Thergothon&co. had pointed in was pretty clear. Bands began to explore ways to take low and slow doom metal to the point of the funeral dirge, and pushing past their predecessors. A great example of a band basically going "Thergothon but more" is skepticism. Although, not exactly. This release does actually have a lot of more melodic, hopeful moments that pop through, which nonetheless have a bittersweet character. At other times, the synths take on the role of a church organ, or romantic, gothic affectations. Generally this is accomplished with minimal instrumentation, and I doubt this album cost much to make. Occasionally very pretty or epic, but not very happy.

But this material is considerably darker, slower and heavier when it wants to be. This is still atmospheric music, and during much its runtime synths moreso take the lead, but heavier sections have much more of a bludgeoning quality relative to Thergothon. There are some pretty nightmarish sections on this thing, but loads of dynamics. Excepting some of the midi-sounding horns, which are thin and unflattering, I prefer the synth tambres they use here as well, to Thergothon, who I can't recall doing anything like that. Still, the synths here have a pleasant analog buzz and sound theatrical.

This music is mournful and cerebral, and you can't headbang to it. You can maybe kind of like, sway to it? An example of an band not being a revolution, but just pushing things a little bit forward. Still, if you want a bit more beef than Thergothon this is a good place to go next, and this is well done.

LEGALISE DRUGS AND MURDER · 10-10-2021, 12:22 AM

CROWBAR - ODD FELLOWS REST (1998)

GRAAAAAAAAAAAH

One hour of grooving, thrashing, bad ****ing ass rif***e. The guitars on this album weigh a ton and they hit you with gnarly, sedated, detuned riffs one after another. No need for solos. Get ****ing burried under an avalanche of fuzz. F U C K

These songs mostly hang out at a propulsive, but chunky mid pace and the band is pretty rocking. There's a lot of groove ladden riffs, as well as some jagged chugging and smashing. Now and then, there's riffs with more of a punk energy or stoner drive.

With the exception of the title track's low-key psychedelia, the sound and feel here is very consistent, but effective. Get smashed in the head over and over. It's all great, every second of it. Great to put on and be ****ING pissed.

Kind of a 90s alt rock vibe especially in the gravelly, grunge vocals but out-heavies many many albums with much more metallic aesthetics. It's easy to see how a band like Pantera would be influenced by this type of music, but to me this is a lot nastier and thicker.

I think how tightly the band is able to groove contributes a lot to the sheer physical inertia and power on display. The fat, suffocating tone helps. I feel like people would maybe work out to this? Anyway, it kicks major ass. Walk away from an explosion in slow-mo to it. Dig a grave to it. Swim through molasses to it. PUMP IRON CHUG BEER.

This record is what it's like trying to stand up on Saturn. Heavy and suffocating. New Man Born has a cowbell on it though, weird.

Trollheart · 10-10-2021, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

Proving my point to own me. A cunning strategy.

I think it's called hoisting yourself by your own picard.

LEGALISE DRUGS AND MURDER · 10-10-2021, 09:01 PM

TIAMAT - WILDHONEY (1994)

Tiamat has a really unique sound on Wildhoney. I read somewhere that they say their biggest inspiration is actually Pink Floyd, unsurprisingly. A lot of this seems focused on creating strangely psychedelic textures and ambiances. Lots of synths, very stylized, spacious production, and many odd or unique instrumental sections and bendy rock guitar solos.

Their earlier work had had much more of a death metal and even crust edge, but this album lacks any gutturals at all and is at times largely acoustic. Still, there are plenty of chunky guitars, and the riffs create a grandiose, epic feeling. Overall, fairly soft, but darkly psychedelic for that.

Besides beefier moments, the band also employs lots of cascading clean riffs that have more of a prog rock character. These are all complex, distinct tracks with poignant lyrics and at times, some pretty flashy playing. The vocals are often shouted, but there are also plenty of spoken moments that are delivered in a kind of gothic snarl, and boyish singing. As far as "goth metal" goes this is kind of like metal's A Kiss in the Dreamhouse (though, the band has a track called Kaleidoscope instead), full of vivid textures and colours, yet slightly unsettling, as if faded.

Do You Dream of Me is a ballad with a weeping melody and clean, reverby guitars, while Gaia has the band singing nature apocalypticism over something vaguely floydish. Tracks like Whatever that Hurts and The Ar, feature muscular guitars and anthemic refrains. There's lots of interlude moments either as their own tracks or as intros or outros to songs, and they're all fairly captivating and don't overstay their welcome. Wildhoney closes with the eight minute drug fairytale A Pocket Sized Sun, which is awash in shimmering guitar, booming drums and gentle swaying melody. It creschendos almost like post rock, and makes for a satisfying closer.

This isn't a hard or heavy doom album, but it might be attractive to prog listeners and fans of psych atmospherics. It's a very original, and well executed take on doom music with goth influences, but just don't expect death metal. The only band with stuff that I think really has a similar vibe to this release is Saturnus. Very dense, textured, and cerebral. Oh also there's a ton of drug references, these guys like their mushrooms.

Pink Floyd meets Siouxie and the Banshees meets Candlemass.

10-09-2021, 07:47 PM	#24 (permalink)
LEGALISE DRUGS AND MURDER Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 94	CANDLEMASS - EPICUS DOOMICUS METALLICUS (1986) Ok so, I get it. This is cheesy. You should have expected that on an album called Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (the name of which coined both "epic doom metal" and "doom metal" in general in 1986). You're in for some operatic, soaring vocals, high fantasy, and lots of melodrama. Epic doom metal, of course, is sort of doom's take on power metal. If you're not into that, I understand, but I think it's kind of a shame, because underneath everything this is a really well put together, all killer no filler, doom album showcasing basically flawless execution of the genres fundamentals. The material is so compelling that I really encourage people to give it a chance. Every track is a banger, with catchy but heavy riffs and well put together songs. Sing along, embarrass yourself. It helps, too, that Candlemass is actually, along with Saint Vitus, one of the heaviest and slowest bands operating during this era. They actually spend most of this LP dishing out heavy riffs and thundering drums, and the follow-up is even more guitaristic and straightforward. So understand that this album is not some kind of watered down metal for fantasy geeks. This was the moment that people began to put a name to the kind of music that all these post-sabbath bands were playing. I think, for that reason, I constitutes a big part of what we think of when we think of doom metal today. It's the archetype for a lot of later albums, and not just the "epic" ones. There are just so many goddamn anthems on this thing that I hope people will sit with its cheese factor. This is a masterpiece. Straight doomalicious. Sitting here alone in darkness waiting to be free Lonely and forlorn I am crying Last edited by LEGALISE DRUGS AND MURDER; 10-09-2021 at 07:54 PM.

10-09-2021, 10:54 PM	#27 (permalink)
LEGALISE DRUGS AND MURDER Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 94	SKEPTICISM - STORMCROWFLEET (1995) Ok so, first of all, you want to avoid the 2000s remaster of this album, which is dog**** and find either the original version or the "new mix" done in 2018, which is what's on Spotify. Not sure why the first remaster is so terrible, but it sounds tinny and distant, and ambient moments are basically unintelligible. The direction Thergothon&co. had pointed in was pretty clear. Bands began to explore ways to take low and slow doom metal to the point of the funeral dirge, and pushing past their predecessors. A great example of a band basically going "Thergothon but more" is skepticism. Although, not exactly. This release does actually have a lot of more melodic, hopeful moments that pop through, which nonetheless have a bittersweet character. At other times, the synths take on the role of a church organ, or romantic, gothic affectations. Generally this is accomplished with minimal instrumentation, and I doubt this album cost much to make. Occasionally very pretty or epic, but not very happy. But this material is considerably darker, slower and heavier when it wants to be. This is still atmospheric music, and during much its runtime synths moreso take the lead, but heavier sections have much more of a bludgeoning quality relative to Thergothon. There are some pretty nightmarish sections on this thing, but loads of dynamics. Excepting some of the midi-sounding horns, which are thin and unflattering, I prefer the synth tambres they use here as well, to Thergothon, who I can't recall doing anything like that. Still, the synths here have a pleasant analog buzz and sound theatrical. This music is mournful and cerebral, and you can't headbang to it. You can maybe kind of like, sway to it? An example of an band not being a revolution, but just pushing things a little bit forward. Still, if you want a bit more beef than Thergothon this is a good place to go next, and this is well done. Last edited by LEGALISE DRUGS AND MURDER; 10-10-2021 at 11:34 AM.

10-10-2021, 12:22 AM	#28 (permalink)
LEGALISE DRUGS AND MURDER Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 94	CROWBAR - ODD FELLOWS REST (1998) GRAAAAAAAAAAAH One hour of grooving, thrashing, bad **ing ass rife. The guitars on this album weigh a ton and they hit you with gnarly, sedated, detuned riffs one after another. No need for solos. Get *ing burried under an avalanche of fuzz. F U C K These songs mostly hang out at a propulsive, but chunky mid pace and the band is pretty rocking. There's a lot of groove ladden riffs, as well as some jagged chugging and smashing. Now and then, there's riffs with more of a punk energy or stoner drive. With the exception of the title track's low-key psychedelia, the sound and feel here is very consistent, but effective. Get smashed in the head over and over. It's all great, every second of it. Great to put on and be *ING pissed. Kind of a 90s alt rock vibe especially in the gravelly, grunge vocals but out-heavies many many albums with much more metallic aesthetics. It's easy to see how a band like Pantera would be influenced by this type of music, but to me this is a lot nastier and thicker. I think how tightly the band is able to groove contributes a lot to the sheer physical inertia and power on display. The fat, suffocating tone helps. I feel like people would maybe work out to this? Anyway, it kicks major ass. Walk away from an explosion in slow-mo to it. Dig a grave to it. Swim through molasses to it. PUMP IRON CHUG BEER. This record is what it's like trying to stand up on Saturn. Heavy and suffocating. New Man Born has a cowbell on it though, weird. Last edited by LEGALISE DRUGS AND MURDER; 10-10-2021 at 09:24 PM.*

10-10-2021, 09:01 PM	#30 (permalink)
LEGALISE DRUGS AND MURDER Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 94	TIAMAT - WILDHONEY (1994) Tiamat has a really unique sound on Wildhoney. I read somewhere that they say their biggest inspiration is actually Pink Floyd, unsurprisingly. A lot of this seems focused on creating strangely psychedelic textures and ambiances. Lots of synths, very stylized, spacious production, and many odd or unique instrumental sections and bendy rock guitar solos. Their earlier work had had much more of a death metal and even crust edge, but this album lacks any gutturals at all and is at times largely acoustic. Still, there are plenty of chunky guitars, and the riffs create a grandiose, epic feeling. Overall, fairly soft, but darkly psychedelic for that. Besides beefier moments, the band also employs lots of cascading clean riffs that have more of a prog rock character. These are all complex, distinct tracks with poignant lyrics and at times, some pretty flashy playing. The vocals are often shouted, but there are also plenty of spoken moments that are delivered in a kind of gothic snarl, and boyish singing. As far as "goth metal" goes this is kind of like metal's A Kiss in the Dreamhouse (though, the band has a track called Kaleidoscope instead), full of vivid textures and colours, yet slightly unsettling, as if faded. Do You Dream of Me is a ballad with a weeping melody and clean, reverby guitars, while Gaia has the band singing nature apocalypticism over something vaguely floydish. Tracks like Whatever that Hurts and The Ar, feature muscular guitars and anthemic refrains. There's lots of interlude moments either as their own tracks or as intros or outros to songs, and they're all fairly captivating and don't overstay their welcome. Wildhoney closes with the eight minute drug fairytale A Pocket Sized Sun, which is awash in shimmering guitar, booming drums and gentle swaying melody. It creschendos almost like post rock, and makes for a satisfying closer. This isn't a hard or heavy doom album, but it might be attractive to prog listeners and fans of psych atmospherics. It's a very original, and well executed take on doom music with goth influences, but just don't expect death metal. The only band with stuff that I think really has a similar vibe to this release is Saturnus. Very dense, textured, and cerebral. Oh also there's a ton of drug references, these guys like their mushrooms. Pink Floyd meets Siouxie and the Banshees meets Candlemass.