If you are a fan of the Doom Metal genre, particularly the old school type, I may have a new release for you. A brand new band hailing from Germany, and this being their debut full-length, I give you OBSIDIAN SCAPES. I say more old school, because I may have mentioned I don’t avidly follow this genre too much, and my knowledge is more based on the late ’90s and earlier eras. So when hearing this, I get a heavy CATHEDRAL vibe and maybe also later day NOVEMBERS DOOM. Now, there are a couple of reasons why I mention the above bands, because the first thing you will notice is the vocal approach. You get shades of Lee Dorian, and also musically, there are sort of ambient or, for lack of a better word, “psychedelic” elements within the songs. They are not long or drawn affairs, just sorta minor enhancements that add a different tone stylistically to the songwriting. You could say it offers an almost haunting quality to some of the songs. Listen to tracks #2 and #3, ‘My Utter Contempt For The Sun’ and ‘Endless Sea Of Dead Mirrors’ and maybe you will understand what I am talking about. I listened to this also with headphones, and I can say it heightened the experience with those “trippy” elements. As I delved further and on repeated listens, you could also get a few notes of Stoner / Sludge rhythms happening as well. Otherwise, for the most part, it could be an almost typical Doom affair. The production is spot on, plus you have to have those powerful and weighty guitar tones, and the bass is just about audible, so it has to offer more for the listener to grasp on to. Of course, we do need that ear candy in this particular genre, and at almost an hour long, you need to maybe clear your calendar for a bit. I feel both old and new listeners will find much to be pleased with, because they are not your typical Doom band. They are not quite overly romantic and lovelorn, as some, not too oppressive, nor suicidal in sound but also not quite stoner. They seem to thread the needle very well stylistically with all sub-genres. Maybe the vocals might dissuade some but I’m sure we or some of us felt the same about listening to CATHEDRAL for the first time right? I usually make note of the artwork for bands on their releases particularly if it draws me in, even if not hearing the music itself, but here I have to say the band photo grabbed me. It shows four headless band members. I was intrigued because offhand I have not seen it done like this or I’m just forgetting (that’s probably more than likely). On a side note though, Metal Archives show only two members?? Oh well we are here for the music right? www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562434551526, www.facebook.com/darknessshallriseproductions