Metal Reviews

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89, from me, and this is someone that doesn't usually like traditional doom. Nice review Adam, the comment about the production not being strong enough resonated well with me.

Nice review Adam, this album is fucking great, being a recent fan of these guys, i just cant seem to get enough of this band, Robert Lowe is a fantastic singer, im sure he will be a great addition to Candlemass.

Thanks guys. Lowe's vocals are tough to top, as far as doom is concerned. Actually, I think he might end up sounding better in Candlemass than Messiah. His vocals have that desperate feel that so many people liked about Johann Lanquist on Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, but with much more vocal power and range. The new album could very well be their best yet.

Hahah, hate to say it, but the cover alone makes me wanna hear it. So awesome.

Yup. Travis Smith does good work, here's his gallery:

Travis Smith Gallery

Fits the music very well too.

Nice gallery.

Reminds me of Theodore Kittelsen, but not as sad.

Lowe is amazing. Hands down, he's one of the best metal vocalists out there. If you dig SA you check out Last Chapter and their album called The Living Waters. Lowe does guest vocals on the whole album and it kicks ass. They did a follow-up without him and it's equally as good, with a very good singer. Definitely some great doom metal.

http://www.myspace.com/lastchap

"Thorn of Creation" and "Coma Crowd" has Lowe on vocals.

Awesome! thanks man.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm not a big fan of Doom Metal but stuff I like I like a lot. One of those bands I like a lot is Solitude Aeturnus. I was excited to hear they were finally recording something new and this CD did not disappoint in the least bit. I was especially impressed by the leads and how Lowe's voice creates a whole extra layer of somber and doom atmosphere all on it's own. However, I do agree with your comment about the production. Considering how long ago Adagio came out, the production on that release is far surperior. I found it didn't detract from the CD that much once you really get into the songs.

Are you guys listening to the album or downloads? I think the production could maybe be a bit beefier, but I don't really find it lacking enough to even comment on it.

I'm listening to the album. You say yourself the production could be a bit beefier, and that's all we're saying. Maybe I wouldn't comment on it if there were any other noticeable flaws to point out. As it is, the album's not perfect, and that's the reason why.

Word.

Sounds like I need to check this one out very soon. I haven't heard any of their material, but the description in this review sounds like I have been missing out on some great stuff. I'll grab this as soon as I can find it. 'Best doom vocalist' is quite a statement . I'm looking forward to this.

Album of 2006 for me. Best comeback in years, too.

That's a pretty accurate statement.

It really is hard to argue with after listening to this album. Add that to his new position in Candlemass, and he's set up to be the gold standard for doom vocals.

Lowe is a monster.

On a sidenote, it's a bit shocking to see how many people - knowledgeable people I mean - still don't now this band or only very recently have been aquainted with it. Even on this forum. I can only imagine how frustrating it must have been for Lowe or Perez to work hard in this band for so many years, to probably be aware that they're among the best in metal (all metal, not just doom), and still to not be able to get through to most metal fans, not to mention not making any money out of it. It's a shame, I really feel for these guys.

Solitude Aeturnus is one of those special bands. They're amazing in all facets, and those that know of them can't deny it; but, sadly, they're not known by many. Doom is generally a genre low on the totem pole to begin with; it's not very popular compared to power metal, for instance. So it really sucks for John and Robert, when you think about that. But they love the band and they believe in it, and for that alone they get my utmost respect. Plus the guys are cool as hell, always willing to talk with you.

And Lowe's vocal ability should be legendary. I mean, there are tons and tons of great singers out there, but Lowe is up there with the likes of Dickinson and Dio and Halford, and arguably he's better. It's not just Alone that he does an outstanding performance; every Solitude Aeturnus album features some amazing vocal work from this guy. Check some of these songs out:

PAIN, PAWNS OF ANGER, DAYS OF PRAYER & HALLOWED BE THY NAME

And I still maintain that their cover of "Hallowed Be Thy Name" is far better than the original.

It's a good cover but it's not better. Lowe doesn't seem to have Bruce's burst of energy on the more explosive parts of the song. On the other hand, I'd say SA's cover of Heaven and Hell is better than the original, I think he's much better at singing Dio style than Dickinson's. He can match Bruce for power and technical prowess, but not for energy.



That's true, but even in doom there are bands extremely well known, like Candlemass, My Dying Bride, Cathedral, Amorphis etc, bands pretty much everyone has heard of. SA are at least just as great as any of these, but still very much unknown by comparison. Strange.



Yeah, he's up there with Halford and the others, but I wouldn't say he's better. Btw, he's given great performances on every album, but I'm still most impressed with the ones on their debut. Revisit Transcending Sentinels or Opaque Divinity to see why.