Saturday, July 30, 2016

TEMPLE OF VOID - Demo MMXIII (2013)

Of Doom, Death and Smile


According to the interview in the 8th issue of Apocalyptic Rites zine with Bartuus, boss of Till You Fukkin Bleed label, this demo goes like hot cakes and belongs to the highlight in the rooster so far. Of course I’m still talking about underground level and do not expect a new yacht in private Bartuus’s harbour, yet I can understand the whole thing is all about. Well, as for production, MountDoom Studio did a really good job, it’s just an added value. So, we get a proper sound and since the first seconds of “Beyond the Ultimate” the powerful portions of riffs crush my head. The band describes his music as a resultant of early British doom scene and energy and devastation from American old-school death metal. And I totally agree with the first part of it, and “Exanimate Gaze” is the affirmative proof. It’s horrifically sad track reminding me of the best moments from the first albums of My Dying Bride, becoming a real band’s visiting-card. I love it, not only for the second beautiful part leading me into unknown dimension. Paralyzing indeed, and absolutely one of the most admirable things I had a pleasure to listen to this year. The first mentioned track, maybe not such splendid, is maintained in the same genre vein with melodic tunes here and there and clean vocals on the end. Yes, vocal lines, there’s a need to mention about Mike, as he shows his talent through deep gutturals (mostly), blackish screams and aforementioned clean parts as well. It really works. Thus, these two tracks are extremely good invitation to the temple of void.

And now something about the second part of band’s description. In this case I cannot fully agree. Just take a listen to the third the longest song. For me it’s a pure riffing such known from the white album by Candlemass, just replace Mike Erdody growls with Marcolin singing and recipe for unreleased lost of doom masters track is ready. Unfortunately, there is something broken in the middle. When it seems “Bargain in Death” reaches the end, at 6:30 a guitar melody appears. Melody that brings nothing but too much optimism, and totally doesn’t fit to the whole musical and lyrical concept, just like the rest of this song being an instrumental needful thing. What a pity it hasn’t been ended before it… Damn, I can’t come to terms with it!

 Anyway, despite of this the only failure, “Demo MMXIII” is a really noteworthy piece of music. The band is complete, with own visions and proper skills. It’s not hard to plunge in, it doesn’t drag to nowhere, and the sounds are able to deliver memorable good music which I listen to it heaps of time recently. And now it’s a good moment to look for their debut released in 2014, however “Of Terror and the Supernatural” is the 265858th title on my must-have list.     

75/100
-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written in July, 2016)
        

No comments:

Post a Comment