SMOULDER - Times of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring
Cruz del Sur Music
Every once in a while within the framework of extreme metal something comes along that just hits all the right buttons. That's for me personally of course, others might think differently. This Canadian band has created a debut full length release that is the answer to what I wanna hear as well as look at. Yeah I rarely mention art work but when you look at the album cover your first thoughts would be CIRITH UNGOL. That's because the same artist, fantasy painter Michael Whelan, who did covers for them also did the cover for Times of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring.
Onto the music we start with the vocals. Musically this is epic doom meets traditional heavy metal. You can have a great sound but if your vocals are weak (which happens) then the band dies. That's not the case here. Vocalist Sarah Ann (aka: Sarah Kitteringham of BANGER TV fame) is an amazing vocalist. She actually sings as opposed to gimmicky singing styles of doom which some women in the genre do. She's like a gutsy Valkyrie or a shield maiden singing from her heart and soul.
Music wise there's six cuts on the full length. The songs are a mix of steady paced epic doom and slower numbers all based on the realm of sword and sorcery fantasy fiction. The riffs and rhythms are massive in style. The drum work is powerful as it needs to be. The lead work is tastefully done. The production is what all melds this together which gives it an old school feeling. The band is a labor of love for the classic metal sound. There are plenty of acts who can fake it. This band has it in their blood. Perfection lives here, nuff said.
https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/blog/
https://smoulder.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SmoulderDoom/
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