Stumm
I (CD) 2006 Aesthetic Death
It is not for the faint hearted, the music produced by this Finnish trio; not that Finnish doom bands are renowned for their accessible approach to the genre anyway. However, Stumm’s bleakness makes even Thergothon sound like a melodic Euro metal band. No compromises are sought here; the production is raw and basic (on the verge of being unlistenable) but somehow fitting with the monolithic, nihilistic compositions that plod along at uncomfortably slow tempos. The fan of musical structures and melody in me tries in vain to discern any distinctive leads, subtleties in the music and surprising twists. However, all these are not in the menu tonight, as Stumm are not here to make any friends, but instead to mess with my poor brain. If you are a fan of the most extreme branches of today’s doom metal genre (Moss, Wormphlegm, Wreck of the Hesperus...) then you could do worse than checking out this album. If not, then you have a problem. Deal with it.	1. Chokehold Narcosis 2. Biting the hand that feeds 3. New christ for every morning 4. Not waving but drowning Approx. 57 minutes
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou