IMMENSE INTENSE SUSPENSE

The first album from this band, although I would regard Preach Eternal Gospel as their debut album. Phlebotomized is doing very heavy doom metal bordering to death metal. Well, on this album at least. Progressive ? The last couple of songs are pretty progressive if I am kind. The rest of the album is as heavy as ten thousand tonnes of steel. The tempo is slooooow, but not funeral doom slow. Their use of violin and their general lack of tempo reminds me about the debut album by My Dying Bride. This album is down that alley. Add some Orphaned Land (Sahara) and we are pretty close.

Quality wise, the last two songs are good. The rest is pretty forgetable. I was a fan of this band ten-fifteen years ago. But times has moved on and left this album as a curiosity. But if heavy doom metal with death metal vocals is anyone's cup of tea here, this album is recommended. But it is not for me, I am afraid.

2 stars