Paramaecium Note: All Paramaecium records have been selfreleased. The listed record labels got distribution rights from the band.
Exhumed of the Earth (CD) 1993 Witchhunt
What sets Paramaecium apart from other bands in the doom metal scene, is the fact that they are the only Christian death doom band that made it to the top of the genre. 'The unnatural conception', the first, 17 minute long track of this debut cd, starts with an aria with soprano vox followed by a long, heavy and threatening rhythm guitar section until vocalist Andrew's relentless grunts and the threatening, aggressive character of the music, make clear that Paramaecium is one of the heaviest doom bands around. Since the music and the biblical lyrics are also very elegant, a comparison with 'As the flower withers' from My Dying Bride would not be illogical. However, 'Exhumed of the earth' has the production that the Bride's debut lacked, which is one of the reasons that Paramaecium's debut album sounds that heavy and relentless. Atmospheric elements like a violin, flute and acoustic guitars are also sparely used, although the band primary focuses on heaviness and on their death metal basis. Or to keep it short, this is simply a must have for all doom fans and especially for the fans of (old) My Dying Bride!	1. The Unnatural Conception in two parts:   - The Birth   - The Massacre of the   Innocents 2. Injudicial 3. The Killing 4. Untombed 5. The Voyage of the Severed 6. Haemorrhage of Hatred 7. Removed of the Grave Approx. 66 minutes
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou
Within the Ancient Forest (CD) 1995 Pleitegeier
Rumors among doom metal fans have it that this is the "soft" album Paramaecium made. First of all, I would like to stress that this is by no means a soft album. All the elements of their excellent debut album 'Exhumed of the earth' are still present, including the unrelenting grunts, the heavy guitars and the death metal emphasis. The main difference with the first album, lays in the more extensive use of atmospheric elements like female (and this time also male) clean vocals and the use of some cello, piano and harpsichord. The lyrics are based on a novel by vocalist Andrew Tompkins and it is an outstanding allegorical story about his own quest for the truth in life. This is my personal favorite album from this Australian band, because of the perfect balance between the death metal basis and heaviness and the elegant, atmospheric music, the amazing storyline and the beautiful album cover. It's actually unbelievable how much this band seems to be underestimated due to bad distribution and label deals, because they belong to the absolute doom metal top.	1. In Exordium 2. Song Of The Ancient 3. I Am Not Alive 4. The Grave, My Soul 5. Gone Is My Former Resolve 6. Of My Darkest Hour 7. Darkness Dies Approx. 54 minutes
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou