2005-11-27
Forsaken have done it again. The Maltese doom metal band has created yet another quality slab of bone crunching doom metal, the perfect continuation to their last release,
Anima Mundi.
The band creates a mid-tempo melodic doom metal, with some faster bits thrown in, with one of the band's strongest selling points is the powerful vocals of Leo Stivala, who comes off as a combination of Solitude Aeturnus's Robert Lowe and Candlemass's Messiah Marcolin, his delivery is strong and mournful, and he manages to convey tones of emotion, mostly depressive.
The solid sound helps as well, the album sounds just as a doom metal album should, with the drums a crushing thunder and the bass sitting firmly in the middle of the mix, just listen to the second track, Paradigm Of Chaos and you'll know what I mean.
A rather interesting feature in the album is the combination of a choir in some the tracks, giving the music a religious overtone, at certain points the band's ominous feel and mysticism tinged lyrics made me feel like I'm crawling through an ancient sepulture, creepy.
The title track is one of the faster tracks on the album, a great guitar riff and a memorable chorus, it’s the combination of being catchy without sounding simplistic that helps this album to remain so memorable.
Obsidian Dreams is an epic doom anthem, the choir is used sporadically but it's the guitar riffs that set the tone, again, Stivala's vocals are a plain asset for the band, even a more epic and tone setting track is the album's last, Resurgam, the fantastically lyrical lyrics give it all an air of quality.
If indeed doom metal is to live on, its bands such as Foresaken that will consist of its backbone, I expected much after reviewing Anima Mundi, and Dominaeon exceeded all expectations.
Alon Miasnikov
