| Ode to Sorrow (CD) | 1999 | Godz Greed Recordings |
Cold Embrace is the first doom act in years to really surprise me. I find it hard to sum this band's sound up in so few words. Whilst on the one hand their influences are clear and give some easy reference points they always manage to keep it fresh and avoid falling into the clone vat.
Cold Embrace has sought to mix styles from almost all corners of doom metal. They combine the harsh elements of acts such as Winter, with the epic traits of Candlemass and other such bands, as well as incorporating funeral elements characteristic of Evoken and the like. Mixing these styles creates something with I can best describe as epic lamentations of pure sorrow. As such this album truly is an 'Ode to Sorrow'. It is also comforting to find a band that doesn't shy at mixing slow unrelenting death/doom (complete with grunts) with more groovy and epic traditional doom (with clean vocals). Cold Embrace walks countless paths simultaneously and as such forges its own highly original style.
Whether you are into Winter, Thergothon, Candlemass or St. Vitus you need to check this band out. Definitely the best thing I've heard in a long time.
1. Salvation
2. Gathering of Shadows
3. Godforsaken
4. Senseless
5. Nothing Remains
6. Lost
7. Memories
Approx. 43 minutes
| Age of Doom (CD) | 2001 | No Label |
Foregoing their harsh edge and leaning more towards epic doom, this album seems to be filled with something best described as "Battle doom metal". I'm not sure if Cold Embrace has any plans to become doom metal's very own Bal Sagoth, but this release is definitely a good attempt. But don't worry yet; the music is nowhere near as cheesy as Bal Sagoth. The tendency to write warrior lamentations does introduce a certain cheese factor. I must say it does not bother me at all, in fact I find it refreshing and like Cold Embrace even more for moving into this direction.
Fans of more traditional Doom will probably enjoy this album more then 'Ode to Sorrow' whereas a few death-doom fans might be put off a bit. This because of the now more often used clean vocals and the praise to Odin and such.
Absolute highlight of this album is the ode to Star Trek's Jadzia (Deep Space Nine). Despite the cheese rating shooting off the scale, the band actually pulls it off really well.
The only possible sour spot would be the lyrical content of the last, rather groovy track 'True Friends', which deals with sex a little too explicitly for some people. I've never been much for lyrics like "Suck my dick and lick" but each to their own. However, even with this slight hiccup in mind, I would still include this as one of the best albums of 2001.
1. Way Of The Warrior
Part I.: Viking Sworddance
Part II.: Sons Of Northern Shores
2. Misery
3. Empty Alleys
4. Honour
5. In Doom We Trust
6. March Of The Fallen
7. Mourning The Loss Of Jadzia
8. Age Of Doom
9. True Friends
Approx. 52 minutes