Life Beyond
Ancient Worlds (Mcd) 2000 Dejamnesia
The Black Sabbath-influenced, old school of doom has a long and honorable history in the D.C./Maryland area of the U.S. Beginning in the '70s with Pentagram and continuing into the '80s with Obsessed, the burgeoning doom underground in that area now boasts some of the world's best old-school bands, including Spirit Caravan, Unorthodox, and Internal Void.

Move over gentlemen, because Life Beyond are the latest and greatest addition to that proud heritage. All three members of this doomy power trio are veterans of D.C. area bands such as Gut Soup, Indestroy, Creepshow, and Wretched. A few seconds into this doomy, ass-kicking CD the influences are obvious: Black Sabbath, Spirit Caravan, Unorthodox, etc. There's also an old-school metal feel, with Mötorhead hovering around the edges, and even a bit of jazz in the mix. Just a bit, heh heh. All of this combines in a powerful mix of clean, strong vocals, wah-drenched guitar with fluid solos, and a sledgehammer rhythm section that is equally comfortable with a straight-ahead charge or a sudden changeup. The music is suffused with a spirituality that is dedicated but never preachy, and has nothing in common with the laughable crap on TV. These guys walk it like they talk it, with a refreshing positivity that says yes, you can feel good and be doomed at the same time.

This EP is remarkably strong, and shows an amazing band ready to take their richly deserved place next to the giants of riffing doom. Dig it now!!!!
Album Cover

1. Never Dead
2. Sacred Life
3. Black Rainbow
4. Resistance

Approx. 21 minutes

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Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh