In our ongoing investigation of deceptive and outright fraudulent extreme metal acts, we pull the rug under a handful of established outfits that don’t even seem to bother hiding that they are after your money first, artistic integrity a distant second - an audience satisfaction not even registering. The more we pull away the blinds the more obvious these practices become. Maybe your favorite band is in here, maybe your life-long inspiration only cares about the dollars/euros you’re giving him/her? Don’t be fooled, there are plenty of honest, hard-working metal bands everywhere in the scene. It’s just that these money-hungry, artistically vacuum units make it difficult for everybody involved. These bands stopped caring, they lost the passion and fire. In short: they Sold Their Souls...
I had some material done already before the demise of Lord Belial. Some of the material was actually intended for the next Lord Belial album, but since we disbanded I changed around all of the ideas into new songs.
I don’t really consider it that much superior. But we KEPT the quality from 1st to 4th album, and that is something that is not easy to do! And I think there will come a 5th album that will kick just as much ass.
After two demos in 2005 and 2006 Indianapolis, Indiana based doom combo Apostle Of Solitude now release their debut. As the title implies Apostle Of Solitude play classic doom metal like Solitude Aeternus, Candlemass, Cathedral and Black Sabbath. Featuring former The Gates Of Slumber drummer Chuck Brown on vocals/guitars. "Sincerest Misery" contains 8 tracks of mid to slow doom metal with soaring clean vocals by mainman Chuck Brown. While Brown's vocals are more than commendable his range isn't quite in the same league as Messiah Marcolin (ex-Candlemass), Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeternus) or Ronnie James Dio (ex-Black Sabbath, Dio, Heaven and Hell) yet. The Black Sabbath influence becomes especially apparent in the riffing and drumming departments which simultaneously carry a vibe of classic metal as well as stoner. Like long standing American doom act Solitude Aeternus this act slowly let their songs reach climax and momentum while always containing a recognizable hook or two. Much like The Gates Of Slumber this act's music is grand in scope and sounds triumphant despite the genre's desolate nature. "Sincerest Misery" was recorded at Russian Recording Studios in Nashville, Indiana and later mastered at The Boiler Room in Chicago, Illinois. The record comes with psychedelic artwork that reminds a bit of the earliest works of Sleep or High On Fire. This album will be released on cd as well on limited deluxe gatefold version, including the "Embraced By the Black" demo on side D on colored vinyl. http://www.northern-silence.decomment itWouter 8
/ 2008-09-26 - 17:20:54 (CET)
#1If your interested come and listen to a couple new songs @ myspace.com/apostleofsolitude And thanks to Masterful Magazine for the review.