Below - Across The Dark River (2014)
Heavily influenced by traditional epic
doom, the Swedish quintet behind Below make no bones about their aims
to sink as low as they can go while keeping a majestic sound present
in their playing. And really, they do a great job on
Across The
Dark River, their debut album,
which begins with “Trapped Under Ground”, a track that delivers
on its title by sounding suffocatingly heavy and subterranean, and
only gets more oppressively crushing from there. Despite the
unrelenting doom, they find time to smoothly incorporate a few
shredding guitar solos and killer drum breaks into the songs, done
well enough to avoid any worries about it throwing off the tempo and
pacing as well as kicking some serious ass.
Lyrically,
the album is filled with ghosts and death, betrayals and despair,
tortured magicians and triumphant ghouls, doing battle and sinking
into decay. If you have a soft spot for the most exuberant of occult
'80s metal, this album has a great shot at satisfying your tastes
beyond expectations. It's a wild, well-crafted, and excellent first
album, and it gives the impression that this band is destined for big
things and steady touring. Keep one ear out for further
developments, and the other listening to this album.
~
Gabriel
For
Fans Of; Candlemass, Demon Head, Forgotten Tomb, King Diamond,
Genocide (Japan)
~
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