Tefra
7/10 to Madness (Demo CD) 2002 No Label
Tefra is another UK doom band from Yorkshire, but this time they don’t play doom death with bittersweet romantic melodies like most other bands from that area. Their brand of doom is groovy, energetic and stays true to its Sabbath roots. In short, they play traditional doom. This demo departs with excellent opener ‘Carved in mind’. The song has a catchy, gloomy riff at its core and the epic, reverbed vocals remind somewhat of a combination of Paul Chain and Reverend Bizarre(!), although the tempo is slightly higher. However, from the second track on the band swifts gear and what we get is a mix of groovy, catchy main riffs (clearly an asset of this band) and epic/power metal vocals and tempo’s. Some of the tracks even build up to an uptempo punk apotheosis, which sometimes makes me wonder if the tag ‘doom’ is appropriate here as my blackened heart sighs under the weight of so much energy, joy and enthusiasm. All in all this is undoubtedly a quality demo from a promising band and if you are into both epic heavy metal and traditional doom, you should do yourself a favour and check them out. However, if gloominess and musical depression is your thing, stay away from Tefra and their misleadingly dark band name (Greek for 'ashes of the dead'). Band contact: apotefrosis@hotmail.com	1. Carved in mind 2. Apotefrosis 3. Anything less 4. Goat of Mendes 5. Epi Tas Approx. 16 minutes
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou
The Last Dance (CD) 2007 Northwind
Listening to the latest outfit of those UK Doomsters I can only feel disappointed for the fact that they have disbanded. Of course I am not expecting a Doom Metal band to release a record every year, Doom Metal is not the ideal type of music for such moves, but ok, if the band was still active we could have high hopes for another fine UK Doom Metal release in the near or not too distant future. To the point now. In the album we can listen to eight fine UK Doom Metal anthems. The Doom Metal of Tefra is much heavier and much gloomier compared to the material from their previous release. In here the stuff is based in a Pure Doom Metal musical background; but do not expect it to be as monolithic as the masters have taught it. The music here is enforced with melodic vocals and great lead guitar themes (especially the last same titled track has a great lead guitar solo) and those features make the music much more interesting and beautiful to my ears. In my opinion, one of the stronger features is the vocal parts that guide all the songs into the gloomy paths of doomed beauty. Melodic, crystal clear and characteristic is the voice of the Greek Christos Tsostos which are without a doubt the trademark of the album. Darren Parkinson (also on Conquest of Steel, The Prophecy) has managed to write some really magnificent riffs which bring the songs into the realm of high Doom Metal standards. The rhythm section (Gavin Parkinson – bass and Colin Butler – drums) is heavy and ideal for the Doomy riffing of Tefra, a good job without a doubt. If you ask me to mention some songs, I would pick up the song ‘Efialtes’ (the Greek song for nightmares) which is the opening track of the album as my favorite. But after all, it is really difficult to choose a specific tune form here. Anyway, in conclusion, we get a fine release. If you still are into UK Doom Metal do yourself and favor and grab this release as soon as possible. You will not regret it.	1. Efialtes 2. Ask Whoever 3. Tears of the Fallen 4. Five For... 5. Relic of Time 6. Unstable Fairytale 7. 7/10ths to Madness 8. Last Dance Approx. 49 minutes
Reviewed by: Chris “CountRaven” Papadakis