Let's get the facts straight, a doom
metal-album released by I Hate means quality. Thinking about it, it's
almost unbelievable how they've spoilt us the last few years with
stunning releases from bands like Jex Thoth, Black Oath and The
Wounded Kings, just to name a few. And I haven't even mentioned
classics like The Gates Of Slumber's Suffer No Guilt or The Time Lord
by Pagan Altar yet.
Anyway, this is the first full-lenght album from this new promising band, and it's absolutely not an exception from the fact stated above. As soon as you hear the melancholic nerve and characteristic accent of the vocals, it doesn't take much to identify that they come from Finland. Extra attentive listeners may also notice the vocalist is the same one as in The Wandering Midget.
Musically, this album is one of those that really puts the metal in doom metal. Forget all those countless bands that just plays the same three tones very slow for 15 minutes. This album is a demonstration of great riffs, great arrangements and great vocals. In other words great songs, actual heavy metal songs, and nothing else. Italy's Doomsword comes to mind several times while listening to this album, Serpent Warning has got a bit less Manowar-influence though.
The fact that it only contains six
songs, which gives it a total playing time of 40 minutes, also
settles the heavy metal connection even more. Way too many
doom-albums goes on and on for far too long, what every band should
have in mind is an LP with a maximum 20 minutes on each side. Just
because the music is twice as slow doesn't mean that the playtime
must be twice as long. Finally, I have to praise the cover, which
definitely increases the overall impression with its dark and eerie
atmosphere and mystique. I bet this album would both look and sound
very good as a vinyl-release... 7,5/10 /H
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