Spirit Descent: Seven Chapters in A Minor (2012)

A Minor What?

A little over a decade ago, I worked in the electronics department of a big-name retail store. That exposed me to a promotional video which included a clip from then-up-and-coming R&B star Alicia Keys, who was getting a lot of attention for her debut Songs in A Minor. Grammar freak that I am, I could never get over that title, reading the "A" as an article and "Minor" as an adjective describing a non-existent noun. "In a minor what?" my brain instinctively screams. Obviously, it actually means they are in the key of A minor, but syntax is embedded deeply in the way my brain works.

The title of Seven Chapters in A Minor drives me just as insane. But other than my weird hangups/neuroses, it has only the key in common with the R&B album. The sophomore release of German doomsters Spirit Descent probably won't be featured on the promotional videos at the big-box retailers any time soon.

Evangelist: In Partibus Infidelium (2011)

Have You Heard the Good News?

With the exception of one dude out in Ohio, everyone loves classic Candlemass. The Swedes were the first to adopt the distinct sound of epic doom: sparse, slow, heavy, depressing, and a little bit over-the-top. Their sound made them noticed. But the songwriting made them great. It was phenomenal, particularly on Epicus Doomicus Metallicus. "Solitude", if heard once, will stick with you until you die.

If a metal band is widely loved, then before long there will be countless imitators. And inevitably, many of those imitators will focus on the sound, forgetting the songwriting entirely. Evangelist have seen the current state of epic doom, in need of salvation. They are in partibus infidelium, in the place of the unfaithful. They're wearing suits, knocking at your door. They have a pamphlet, and want to talk to you about the Good News of the Church of Candlemass.

Wall of Sleep: When Mountains Roar

Review

And, while we're on the subject of new doom metal, we have the Hungarian band Wall of Sleep and their fourth full-length, When Mountains Roar.

Despite being named after an Ozzy-era Sabbath song, this stoner doom group sounds a lot more like Heaven & Hell. Their overall sound is really pretty good, and they know how to groove. They even throw in some electric organ now and then. But the vocals, done in a harsh stoner/sludge style, are poor because he tries to hit a lot of notes he just can't hit. If he wouldn't try so hard (or if he'd get some lessons) this would be improved a great deal.

The music as a whole is passable, but only "Receive the Pain" stands out as a really great song, with "Raven Avenue" being the only other one to come even close. The rest of it, while never bad, is never really that great either.

The Verdict: This is passably interesting stoner doom, but doesn't have anything to warrant getting excited about. I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars.