Album Of The Year: The Temple - Of Solitude Triumphant

 

Doom metal is not easy to play. From the drums, where the drummer needs to be able to hold a slow, steady pace, to the riffs that need to be crushing, emotional, heavy, dark, to the voice that has to have something unique and grandiose. 

Ultimately, doom metal is about the salvific nature of music, focusing to redemption through suffering. Both the lyrics and the music work together to build a solemn and withdrawn, introverted experience. It is to be enjoyed in solitude.

As Jesus said in Matthew 6:5-6

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

The reference to Christ's teaching is not irrelevant. The Temple have taken the solemnity of the Orthodox Psalms and fused it into doom metal. They play literally Orthodox Doom metal. This form of ecclesiastic aesthetic may not be for everyone and, I must add, it is not for every hour. 

When it is time to listen to Of Solitude Triumphant, take off your mask, withdraw from life and sink within, for the lord of light cannot be found without

But the lord of light that we have inside
Discards all the fears and embraces our lies

Of Solitude Triumphant is the most emotional record I've heard in years and, dare I say, one of those albums that will stay with me for a long time.

They are The Temple and they play Doom Metal.

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The Heavy Globe's AOTY list for 2022 Part IV: 5-2

The revival of certain subgenres is not a bad thing. It brings a fresh approach to an already established style. At the same time, other types of metal start to evolve and expand, but leave me indifferent. Maybe it is because I am getting old and do not get impressed easily, that my explorations of metal usually do not move into territories like Lorna Shore or Archspire for example. I just do not find anything relatable, eventhough they are quite loved, and that is fine. I would have no problem being 60 years old and listening to black metal like Misþyrming, or death metal like Abyssus.

5. Abyssus - Death Revival

As the title suggests, Abyssus have an ambition to bring back to life the classic death metal sound and they succeed delivering an album that is both filled with awesome riffs and growls from the grave. If you like your death metal to be like Leprosy, Cause of Death et.al then this is for you. One of the best death metal albums of the year, along some other great albums from Heaving Earth, Verberis, Immolation, Beyond Mortal Dreams, Hath.

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Review

4. Dream Unending - Song of Salvation

What we have here is a project from Justin DeTore of Sumerlands and Derrick Vella of Tomb Mold, both excellent bands in their own style, with Sumerlands releasing a very good album this year. But what of Dream Unending? This is their second album in two years and last year I just managed to take note of their name. They play atmospheric doom death of the 90's era, the English way, and I am loving it. But I have to add here that the album includes two instrumentals and two long songs, plus a normal one. It feels like a concept, or a continuus movements and at the same time sort in length, eventhough it lasts 43 minutes.  Maybe it is just me that wants more. 

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3. Misþyrming - Með Hamri 

 

Right now, Misþyrming are among the best black metal bands in the scene. They have managed to craft a distinct identity, bringing together dissonance and a chaotic sound while maintaining a core rhythm, mainly around the drumming, that helps the experience feel more grounded, as opposed to Deathspell Omega's sound that could never pass my threshold of 'interesting sound'. Their music is powerful, dark and rhyhmic with lead guitars that complement the songs and a voice that is a little below or equal to the rest of the music, making it a very tight production. 

As a side note, this album gives away a Funeral Mist vibe. Maybe I am wrong.

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2. Darkest Era - Wither on the Vine

 

It is interesting and maybe a little a sad to see bands delivering great albums but never really getting the acknowledgement they deserve. Maybe this time has come for Darkest Era, since their latest release brings together the best of their artistic abillities to date. What separates them, I believe, from the rest of the similar bands are the vocal melodies, that complement the voice. It is difficult to write this type of vocal lines that make you feel the snog in such a way.

I have been enjoying this album since its release about three months ago and will continue to do so. If you would like a comparison, I would say that their sound is similar to that of mid and later era Primordial. Emotional, hearfelt melodies and a sense of melancholy and fogginess wrapped in epic metal greatness.

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The Heavy Globe's AOTY list for 2022 Part III: 10-6

 

There are subgenres of the 90's that are gradually re-emerging from the pits of forgetfulness, thanx to the work of a few bands that feel the artistic need to create music of that sort. It is not a strange return though, since there are cycles in the metal global scene as the generations grow older. 

Similarly with the return of traditional heavy metal, we now see and listen to doom/death that is rooted in the English scene of the 90's and progressive metal of the same era. I wouldn't go so far to say that it is a trend but there are some patterns appearing. 

10. Inanna - Void of Unending Depths

Inanna play death metal the Lovecraftian way. Because of the work of some bands, like Morbid Angel, cavernous riffs with a thicc, massive production is automatically related, at least in my mind, with the Cthullu mythos and Lovecraft's cosmic horror. But, I wouldn't consider this connection only historical. It is also aesthetically relevant. Death metal feels naturally monstours in a cosmic scale. 

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9. Kampfar - Til Klovers Takt

 

I have to admit that I've only known them by name, not by work. It seems that the time has come to change that. Til Klovers Takt is not only the first Kampfar album I've heard, it will also be the entry album to their catalogue, since they are part of the Norwegian black metal scene since 1994. They play Pagan Black metal, which means probably that the 'pagan' refers to the lyrics. They mostly write/sing in their native tongue, which adds to their aesthetic. Focus on the riffs.

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8. Eruption - Tellurian Rupture

Eruption play thrash metal with a modern feel to it. It brings to mind Heathen, Communic, Nevermore both in composition and in vocal delivery. They are already in their fourth release, since these Slovenians have been around since 2004. Better late than never. 

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7. Zero Hour - Agenda 21

I am a sucker for 90's progressive metal of the American school. It is probably the scene from which most of my favorite albums come from. Agenda 21 is a highly enjoyable, adventurous, with great compositions and vocals album from a band that had 14 years to release something new.

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6.  Vorga - Striving Toward Oblivion

Darkspace opened a territory in black metal that when it first came to my attention, my initial response was "Why didn't it happen sooner?' Imagine the movie "Event Horizon" if it was a metal subgenre. Space black metal flows through the music of Vorga as well and they take us, the cosmonauts of out of body experiences, to journeys through the vast voids of eternal woe and awe.

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The Heavy Globe's AOTY list for 2022 Part II: 15-11

Continuing with the albums that have been in repeat mode more than other releases, I think it would be suitable here to add that as time flies so does my patience. Maybe it is because of lesser free time, maybe it is because of the constant flow of information, maybe I am just old. What I found necessary though was to filter out in a more rapid manner the albums that will stay with me. It only takes a few minutes. The old saying that 'some albums just need to stay with you for a long time before it clicks' sure is true, but there has to be an initial interest, a spark of attraction, enjoument, an impression that may be related to the riff, the voice, the production or the overall aesthetics of it.

15. Darkane - Inhuman Spirits

In this way, Darkane's latest release fits my apetitte for great melodic death thrash of the Swedish school. The production is great and the feeling that the band has fun is being communicated through the music. Good riffs, good vocal lines. Probably this years best release when it comes to melodic death/thrash.

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14. Revocation - Netherheaven

There is an important and distinct duality when it comes to death/thrash. There are two paths, the melodic and the technical. The melodic, as above, tends to be easier to listen to and the difficulty of this subgenre is to write memorable songs with relistenability. On the other hand, the technical death/thrash tries to balance riffs with complexity. This obviously causes less of an immediate impact. However, releases such as Netherheaven cause enjoyment to the cerebral parts of my being. 

+ When the solos hit they elevate the whole song.

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13. Encryptment - Dödens Födsel

 

Now this is the debut album from a bunch of really angry Swedes. The ferocity grabs you instantly and their extreme death metal goes into crust territories. Riffs that bring to mind Morbid Angel, but a very angry, aggresive vocal performance and a tenacius delivery from all the players make an immediate impression, as long as someone finds enjoyment in this type of death metal. 

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12. In Aphelion - Moribund

This album has been my favorite black metal release for the first months of 2022. In Aphelion is a newly formed band and Moribund is their debut release, but, two of the members are part of a very experienced similar band, Necrophobic. It is no suprise then that their music is of high quality. Fast paced riffs, great melodic solos, catchy songs. 

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11. High Command - Eclipse of the Dual Moons

This is the most 80's thrash metal record I've heard in a while. High Command play thrash the American way, with fantasy lyrics and a vocal performance that usually belongs to more extreme acts. The riffs and the production together make it the best thrash metal album of the years for me.  

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The Heavy Globe's AOTY list for 2022 - Part 1 - 20 to 16.

 

2022 has not been particularly rich in quality, but it was in quantity. I suppose the amount of releases each year follow some sort of exponential increase, which results of course to a more difficult process of discernement. Maybe this will make metal outlets relative to the scene again, or maybe it won't. Time will tell.

I think the recipe for metalheads is to follow the opposite direction. Expose yerselves to less music. I am reffering here to the diehards explorers of the underground. Those who listen to Sabbaton and consider their music to be of quality, will always remain in this state of mind.

That is not to say of course that mainsteam metal does not have its fair amount of quality releases. Lamb Of God, Slipknot, Rammstein, Korn, Machine Head released above average material this year, some better than others, but the essence of metal is in the underground and the list follows this simple rule.  

Having said that, lets dive into The Heavy Globe

20.  Negative Plane - The Pact...

Had I listened to this earlier it would be higher on the list. The reason of course is its obscure, occult aesthetic of black metal. Riffs that are sharp are replaced by heavy metal riffs in a rather distinct manner. Its like listening to some lost underground proto metal band  that is also time travellers and play something strange, otherworldy.

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19.  Blackbraid - Blackbraid I

 

It is almost imperative to be a one man band in black metal today. In this sense it doesn't raise any eyebrows anymore, since there is a number of this type of bands that release excellent material. Blackbraid plays "Indigenous black metal from the solitude of the Adirondack wilderness" and it is well worth your time. 

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18.  Vital Spirit – Still As the Night, Cold As the Wind

 

Another indigenous black metal act, only this time they introduce themselves as "Saccharine black metal of the West". The guitars are excellent and the music feels massive, but, if someone finds the vocals off-putting it will be completely understandable. I would say they are too high on the mix, like an aggresive, hostile spirit flying above the lands.

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17. Epitaphe - II

 

It is releases like this that remind me of the main reason I listen mostly to extreme metal. Aesthetics. It is not just the riffs, or the extremity of the vocals and I stopped reading lyrics a long time ago. What grabs me is the union of all this different intruments, along with the production into one massive entity that feels organic, real. This way, listening to an album becomes an experience. Epitaphe play death metal that is thicc and heavy and massive.

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16. Spiritworld - Deathwestern

 

They will probably become mainstream at some point, if they aren't already. They combine country parts with thrash metal and crossover. Imagine Hatebreed/Slayer of the west. No need to overdo it. Simple, in yourface attitude. Fun.

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