| Sempre Largo (CD Demo) | 2003 | None |
They play funeral doom at the highest level, starting with an awesome atmospheric intro on "Darkness Shines Over Light" before the massive wall of sound builds up accompanied by a threatening and deep, almost whispery growl. The shocking production on this very short demo actually helps the record to no end. It sounds very thick and massive -I would describe it as drowning- but that would look like me trying to make a bad joke. It does honestly sound like the air has gotten thicker though and maybe it’s just the humidity of Australia, but it becomes harder to breathe, suffocating almost. Much to the same effect that bands like Sunn 0))) and early Unholy does. Before it becomes overwhelming though, it breaks off into the opening atmospheric melody with distant growls. The use of keys after this doesn’t sound out of place, as they are played intermittently and despairingly, sort of reminding me of My Shameful on the track 'Blackened Lies'; in other words, cold.
'As The Rain Lifts' is another top-notch track. I still can't get over how good this track is. It starts of very much like the first track with the very deep saxophone rumbling deeply away, creating a very unique sound that I really like. The saxophone works so well throughout the entire demo that I honestly can't believe that it isn't used more often in doom metal, before descending once again into that impenetrable and dense wall of doom. This time though, the vocals are more hardcore distorted screams.
This is truly a band to keep an eye on; they have a very good future ahead of them if they can keep this standard up. I particularly enjoy the way the tracks ebb and flow between crushing doom and atmospheric interludes without sounding forced, and without the two tracks losing their identity. Very good record and highly recommended.
1. Darkness Shines Over Light
2. As The Rain Lifts
Approx. 19 minutes
| Oh God, Not Another One (Demo) | 2004 | None |
Right away, it is obvious that the production on this demo (jokingly titled 'Oh God, Not Another One') is much better than their first, and the songwriting has clearly improved from the first, already good, effort. The instrumental, and orchestral parts, especially, are much stronger, and better composed than before. I really like the use of different, and sometimes unexpected instruments, as well. It's a pity that they can mostly only be heard during the orchestral parts, and not alongside the guitars, as well. The brief bit of saxophone that plays overtop the guitars during the second track, 'Strangling the Truth' sounds really great, but lasts for mere seconds. It's as if the candy was taken out of my mouth just before I could taste it. Hopefully, the band will experiment more with this on future releases.
The other thing which I noticed, was the way the songs were broken up, with the orchestral and acoustic parts acting as intros, outros, and interludes between the 'meat' of the songs. So, although there are only two tracks on this demo, it really feels more like a dozen or so 'mini' songs. Somehow though, this works out very well, and it never really seems like any one part is too short, or too long. However, on a full-length album, I don't feel that this would work... not for every song, at any rate. It would feel much too 'broken up', then.
Overall, this is a strong followup to the first demo. If I Drowned In A Stream Of Mourn (See? The band name really is a bit too long.) continue to improve this way (...and shorten their band name.), then we can certainly expect big things from them a few years from now. I, for one, am looking forward to it!
1. Emptying The Drawer Of Repulsion
2. Strangling The Truth
Approx. 20 minutes