Forgotten Tomb
Songs to leave (CD) 2002 Selbstmord Services
At first I was wondering if Dolorian had just come up with a new incognito release, disguised under the unsuspicious moniker Forgotten tomb. The first track of this album is a 11-minute long ice cold bath in psychedelic clean guitar effects, the typical 'bells' synth sound of Dolorian's haunting debut album, monotonous, nihilistic rhythms and a monolithic bass vibe. As the album goes on, it becomes clear that Forgotten tomb is much more than a shameless Dolorian rip-off. The man behind this solo project understands the art of creating a haunting, cold atmosphere with a minimum of artistic paint brushes and a maximum of emotion and dedication. But the suffocating nihilistic atmosphere is -contrary to the sound of the Finnish masters of dissonant doom- complemented with a touch of melody, some black metal influences and Burzumesque ('Filosofem' era) vocals. The band balances constantly between nihilistic, extreme doom, guitar harmonies in the vein of old Katatonia and depressive black metal outbursts somewhat reminding of mid period Burzum or Shining. The sharp guitar sound and the tormented vocals are the witnesses of a soul which has suffered the humiliations of this human existence. Pain, suffering and longing for death become art forms through the eyes of the creator of this desolate music, offering to the listener the cathartic experience of wallowing in misery and desperation"…pieces of me randomly scattered on the floor/shrieks of dying animals inside my soul".	1. Entombed by winter 2. Solitude ways 3. Steal my corpse 4. No way out 5. Disheartenment Approx. 48 minutes
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou
Springtime Depression (CD) 2003 Adipocere Records
If you liked 'Songs To Leave', chances are you will feel the same about 'Springtime Depression'. They are quite similar, though 'Springtime Depression' is a lot more black metal orientated than the former, though not to the extent of Obscura Arcana Mortis. It is more comparable to bands like Abyssic Hate and other depressing black metal bands than doom-metal, but that doesn't stop it from being an awesome album. Right from the first few seconds you can spot the similarities with Katatonia and even Dolorian, though clouded in the typical black metal buzzing guitars. 'Todestrieb' really sets the feel for the entire disc, with an ice-cold atmosphere and amazingly good black metal style shrieking, which sounds very tortured and powerful, much like on 'Songs To Leave', but even more so. The relentless blackened doom onslaught doesn't let up there as the album blasts through 'Scars' and 'Daylight Obssession' with a fury not often seen in doom, the guitars shrieking out their despondent opus, backed by slowish pounding drums which stop everything spiralling out of control. The highlight of the album is far and away the closing track, 'Subway Apathy', which starts out sounding quite like Dolorian, quite atmospheric with a repetitive riffing, before the tracks launches itself into pain and misery that reminds me a lot of the opener, 'Entombed By Winter' on 'Songs To Leave', only slower, heavier, just plain better. Which pretty much sums up my opinion of this release: better than 'Songs To Leave', which is brilliant in its own right.	1. Todestrieb 2. Scars 3. Daylight Obssession 4. Springtime Depression 5. Colourless Despondency 6. Subway Apathy Approx. 47 minutes
Reviewed by: Scott Wickens