Doom… total Doom. This is the debut album of musicians that have been into Metal music for almost 30 years. In a spiritual way this is the continuation of Mexico’s SUPPLICIUM, but more of that later. This fantastic album is full of total Metal of Death / Doom of the highest caliber. Let me tell you that it is not that kind of Death / Doom that moves at few km/h. No, they also have a few faster parts in there. Their style is based on the likes of BLACK SABBATH, CANDLEMASS, CELTIC FROST as well as THE GATHERING, BEYOND BELIEF, CASTLE with of course touches of INCANTATION, ROTTING CHRIST and MORBID ANGEL. With musicians that have played in bands as DENIAL, A PERPETUAL DYING MIRROR and NECCROCULTUS the experience shows. The recording courtesy of Evolution Studios (owned by Lord Brave of AGONY LORDS) is really impeccable, heavy and deep, yet clear and powerful to hear everything, and the musicians really shine. I liked the way they did the solos, simple yet effective, as their music is. The lyrical content is also in line with the aura of death and mortality. The vocals are done in the low growling style, yet they are done with good articulation and with a bit of variety. The last song is a new version of ‘The Pleasures Of Immuted Zombies’ that was originally performed by SUPPLICIUM (and I even think it dates back to IMMUTED back from 1990). Doing an album in this style and making it to be interesting and not to sound similar is really a hard task, something DOOMORTALIS does with such an ease that one can only understand it due to the fact of being conformed of veterans that have seen fashions and trends come and go, and even if they have to reinvent themselves with a new name, their essence is intact. So, for those looking for some of the best Doom / Death Metal, in the style of the Dutch scene of the 90s but with a sound that is up with the times, “Splendor…Then Gloomines” is an essential purchase. Killer release. www.facebook.com/doomortalis, www.chaos-records.com