Medebor
Phantasma (CD) 2003 Apocalypse Productions
Medebor hail from Poland, a country well known for its excellent death metal bands, and these guys do indeed live up to the standards created by their predecessors, while adding a decidedly melodic touch to the music. Oddly enough, although 'Phantasma' was recorded in 2001, it didn't get released until early 2003. Well, better late than never, as this album does deserve some attention. Listening to this album, is almost like hearing a "who's who" of doom, and black metal. Throughout each song, you will catch yourself thinking "hey, that sounds like My Dying Bride" followed quickly by "and this reminds me of Cradle Of Filth", then back to "...and now it sounds like Anathema", and led again into... well, you get the idea. Although the influences are apparent, Mebebor do not ape any of these bands. Instead, they weave their sounds into something that is distinctly their own... and they do it quite well. So well, in fact, that I was quite surprised at the professionalism displayed by a band who was just recording their first full-length (granted, they had released two EPs before this album, but that doesn't take anything away). Overall, 'Phantasma' is something that deserves attention, if not just for the fact that it is a well crafted, and enjoyable blend of doom, black metal, and melodic death.	1. Phantasma 2. Crown Of Pain 3. Arch Mysteria 4. Thousand Stars Ablaze 5. Starlight 6. Amok (Weep In Delerium) 7. Ghosts In The Fog 8. Enigma 9. Sweet Holocaust 10. Time Of Revelation 11. Dark Musc Approx. 55 minutes
Reviewed by: Matt Zuchowski