From being 27 years away, Russian Doom legends SCALD reemerge from the shadows once more with their aptly titled new album “Ancient Doom Metal”. Afterwards the sudden end of their career with the tragic death of exceptional frontman Agyl, Chilean singer Felipe Plaza Kutzbach, now took upon the mammoth task of replacing him. And he did it with assurance. Though not a clone, his somber vocal tones echo of Agyl, while bringing his own identity. Backing him are guitarists Karry and Harald, who weave spellbinding melodies across the album’s expansive doomscapes. Tracks like ‘Young Gods Resurrected’ and ‘ALU (My Protection)’ flow with crushing grandeur, tapping primordial riff veins as effectively as any act in the genre. Subtle keys enhance the ethereal atmosphere without distraction, while drummer Aleksandr Kudryashov holds the monster grooves with depths of low-end basslines. Still, “Ancient Doom Metal” lacks the cultish mystique of the debut. Yet, across six majestic tracks, they channeled Russia’s mystical northern energies as piercingly as ever with the backbone of intriguing lyricism. Especially how well the new singer Plaza tremendously puts his own spin on their Doom while capturing some of Agyl’s magic! Best demonstrated in the title ‘Master Of The Lake’, ‘Far Northern Corner’, ‘The Liberating Spells Of Fire’ and the alluring title track. The production renders SCALD’s sound more professionalized compared to yesteryear’s lo-fi excursion. However, the album outweighs this with songwriting quality maintained across its epic stretches. Through it all, the Russians uphold their signature brand of solemn, affecting doom – a juggernaut blend of CANDLEMASS and BATHORY forged in Nordic and Slavic lore. Just as the album’s moniker promises, it delivers imposing strain of Doom, befitting both the legends it honors and the passage of time since the band’s lone classic “Will Of The Gods Is A Great Power”. For sure, fans new and old will agree wholeheartedly that despite 27 years of silence, SCALD marks their return with an album to stand proudly among the style’s finest offerings. While one hopes their next effort will not take another few decades, “Ancient Doom Metal” has it all to redeem SCALD from the ashes of fate’s cruelties. Find out more about the band and label at www.facebook.com/scaldepicdoom or www.facebook.com/hrrecords