The Howling Void
Megaliths Of the Abyss ()
Wydane przez Black Plague Records/Metalhit.comRok wydania Kraj USANapisał Wouter6
This symphonic funeral doom metal side-project by Tiberius (Hordes of the Morning Star, Intestinal Disgorge) debuts on Florida's Black Plague Records with "Megaliths Of the Abyss". From the opening 10 minute long title track it is clear that Scandinavian funeral doom, Shape Of Despair in particular, is the band's primary influence. In similar fashion The Howling Void uses crushingly sombre riffs with minimal drumming, sparse haunting synthesizers and deep bestial grunts. 'Mollusk' continues in the same vein as the title track with the use of abstract melody, an encompassing feeling of chaos and majestic synthesizer lines. 'Ouroboros' is perhaps the shortest and most symphonic track of the record, its cold piano pieces and multiple bass solos in particular are a definite highlight of this cut. Closing track 'A Name Written in Water' is the definite tour de force of "Megaliths Of the Abyss" and like the title track clocks in at 12 minutes, a true doom gem in the traditional sense of the word. The production is amazing with a thick but clear guitar tone, a clean bass that retains enough heaviness and drums that sound natural but not domineering. The artwork is unspectacular to say the least and while Black Plague Records is a underground label specializing in black metal; it wouldn't have hurt to let someone like Carsten Drescher (Epica, The Haunted, Moonspell, Old Man's Child) handle artwork, design and lay-out. "Megaliths Of the Abyss" will definitely appeal to fans of Shape Of Despair and for the funeral doom genre this is a well done record, even though it is not standing out in one way or the other.
www.blackplaguerecords.com
