Word round the block is that Spirit Descent is an “epic”
doom metal band. It is true, I guess, that they make doom metal music with epic
qualities. But I’m not really sure that they should be coined as a symbolic
figure of this strain of doom. Since every man and his brother’s band are
making epic music these days there seems little value in even mentioning the
fact that a band is epic. Maybe we should start labeling bands when they are
not epic, at least so I’ve though ever since I started having cravings just to
hear a regular, four-minute rock song with a steady beat. Hyperbolic rant on
the genre classification war aside, it’s still an apt description; Spirit
Descent do indeed make epic doom metal.
Hailing from Germany, SD bring to the table a smooth blend
of traditional doom/heavy metal and the more recent, more extreme and modern
styles of doom that appeared later when influenced by death metal. There is
definite narrative in each composition here, and quite a lot of progression
over the course of the album, but always the debt to Sabbath is glaringly
clear. That’s one of the cool things about SD though: They make no pretenses
about being something new and shiny, but revel in going by the books and paying
great tribute to conventions of much-loved style. They are unashamed in their
old-fashioned ways. Jan Eichelbaum on vocals, in addition to his authentic
traditional heavy metal voice, occasionally garnishes the music with lengthy
death/doom roars. This modernizes the music a bit as it recalls the rampant
cross-breeding genres are committing these days. Nice, clean, new production
makes the vintage vibes heavier than they could manage back in the day, too.
I have to say, Spirit Descent have done a pretty damn good
job with these songs. I’m not usually too fond of more traditional metal styles,
but I sat through Seven Chapter a few times without even becoming
irritated by the singing, so that in itself says something. The riffage, it’s
true, is instantly enjoyable, and the sweet production brings those doomed
hooks out nice and fat and rock-heavy. Plus they write a better epic than most
of the riff-raff trying to feet their heads into storyteller’s caps these days.
If you favor this style of metal, I wouldn’t hesitate to suggest this album.
In conclusion: Classic metal, with a bigger, heavier, more
technologically up-to-date streak. No originality, but quality songs that keep
doom traditions alive.
Standout tracks: “Dawn of Mankind”, “The Tragedy of Captain
Scott”, “Sleeper”
Score: 7.5
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