Release
date: April 15th 2017. Label: Transcending Obscurity
Records. Format: CD/DD
Among
The Ruins – Tracklisting
1.The Offering 05:17
2.Sledge of Stones
05:19
3.No Return 08:24
4.New Dawn 05:56
5.Absence of Light
07:11
6.Advocates of
Deception 07:17
7.Among the Ruins
09:46
Members:
Matias Nastolin - Bass, Vocals
(growling)
Olli "Otu" Suurmunne -
Guitars, Vocals (clean singing)
Juho Kareoja - Guitars
Aleksi Olkkola - Drums
Review
Altar
of Betelgeuze (AOB) return with another round of their Death Metal
inspired take of Stoner/Doom Metal. Their new album - Among The Ruins
- is the bands second album and it's a thrilling and genuinely
exciting encounter that is packed full of great surprises. The vocals
drift from clean vocals to the heavier distorted death based growls.
The album has quite a subtle heavy metal feel with elements of
psychedelic riffs thrown in.
Opening
track - The Offering - shows you what AOB are all about. Powerful
riffs, great vocals and crazy Doom/Stoner Metal theatrics all held
together by a bleak Death/Thrash Metal vibe. It shouldn't really work
but AOB manage to pull off the impossible and create a highly
intriguing concept. I remember listening to their debut album a few
years ago and being impressed with most parts of the album but it
felt slightly flat in places. AOB have nothing to worry about this
time around as the album is a winner from start to finish.
The
instrumental work is superb from the start with a fine balance
between Doom/Stoner Metal riffs and the harsh Death/Thrash mentality
running throughout the album. The lyrics are quite bleak at different
parts of the album though AOB do manage to show some lighter moments
as well especially on the superb second track - Sledge Of Stones.
Sledge
Of Stones has a psychedelic/grunge vibe as the vocals are reminiscent
of Soundgarden and Nirvana at times. A totally different contrast to
the opening track. That's one of the most impressive aspects about
this album. AOB's experimentation with the whole flow and delivery of
the album is perhaps their greatest strength as you are treated to
different moods and riffs that shouldn't really work but in AOB's
hands they do.
The
production of the album is superb for the most part. There are a few
rough moments here and there but nothing to stop you enjoying this
album. Other great songs to listen to are: No Return, Absence Of
Light and Among The Ruins. Obviously this album won't be for
everyone. It all depends how you like your favourite musical genres
being spliced with a more extreme style of music. Or your favourite
extreme style of music being spliced with slightly less heavier
genres.
I
feel that AOB have created the perfect balance between the light and
dark moments held on the album. Among The Ruins is an album that
should entertain both the extreme metal crowd and the Doom/Stoner
Metal community. My final thoughts on Among The Ruins are that's a
truly inventive album and one that I will no doubt be listening to in
the years to come.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks to Transcending
Obscurity Records for the promo. Among The Ruins is available to buy
now.
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