| Enough, Or Too Much! (Demo) | 2002 | No Label |
Umbra Nihil sort of reminds me of early Katatonia mixed with some sparse elements of early My Dying Bride, but somehow it doesn't sound like either of these bands. Their music is much more catatonic and nihilistic. While the music can be fairly melodic, it always remains slow and bleak, making sure that the experience of doom lasts. Everything has been down tuned and even the grunts sound as if they are coming from some lower plane of existence. The more melodic sections however keep the whole from being pure depression. As such creating a rather odd situation, low down doom that hovers in a state of eternal limbo.
A song like 'Determination' really pulls you down with it. While the vocalist sounds as if he is drowning, the listener seems to drown along with him, being pulled further and further down into the music and not being able to breathe. Like the song itself is trying to suffocate you. Oddly enough the song after that 'Water in Lungs' sounds as if you have already drowned. It has a sort of aquatic and surreal feel to it. It conjures up an image of some drowned corpse floating in the water, looking out of it's watery eyes, somehow still trying to reach out to the world.
There are moments when the band reminds me of Aarni (which whom they will actually release a split). Both bands have that odd vibe around them. This type of music neither lifts you up, nor brings you down. It keeps you in a continuous and uncomfortable state of limbo (and yes, this is a compliment). This really is music to suffer to for eternity. Dead in the water, and not going anywhere. Hopeless, meaningless, empty.
1. Follow & Believe / Fall without Relief
2. A Mere Shell
3. My Way to the Lakeshore
4. Determination
5. Water in Lungs
Approx. 35 minutes
| Aarni / Umbra Nihil Split (Split CD) | 2002 | Firebox |
Both bands have previously released demo's and most of that material can be found back on this split. In fact all songs by Umbra Nihil can also be found back on their demo 'Enouth, or Too much'. Only one song of that demo 'Determination' is not featured here. Aarni's tracks are a combination of songs found on his second demo 'Duumipeikon Paluu' and two not yet released songs; 'Ubbo-Sathla' and 'Anima'. The first is a rather "messed up" intro. The second is an intimate sad instrumental. Sort of like a sad nursery rhyme. Reviews of both the Umbra Nihil and Aarni demo can also be found on this website. So I would like to refer you to those for a description of the music found here.
Why buy this split? Well, the first and foremost reason would obviously be that the demo's featured here are not that easily available. I am not sure if you can still get them from the bands directly but it's save to say you would easily find them anywhere else. You also get a professional CD, which to me sounds as if it has a much fuller and richer production. And of course you get to support two of the most bizarre and interesting Doom acts our little genre has to offer.
Both bands compliment one and other well on this split. Neither of the two has been known to write conventional Doom-metal and both have nihilistic characteristics. This also means that if you like your Doom-metal filled with a good dose of heavy metal, death-metal or a groovy stoner vibe, you should think twice before getting this release. If these bands can be compared to anything at all, then it would most likely rather be to a band such as Unholy. Not so much musically, but in the pure avantagde aspect of their music. To more open-minded people, I can recommend this album. Especially if you are into nihilistic, solemn doom-metal.
Aarni:
1. Ubbo-Sathla
2. Myrrys
3. Liber Umorarum vel Coniunctio
4. Transcend Humanity
5. Reaching Azathoth
6. Anima
Umbra Nihil:
7. Follow and Believe / Fall without Relief
8. A Mere Shell
9. My Way to the lakeshore
10. Water in Lungs
Approx. 79 minutes
| Gnoia (CD) | 2005 | Firedoom |
Since the 'Split', the sound of the band has evolved considerably. The murky 'underwater' production from the first release has disappeared, giving way to a clear, more conventional production. Very good, except for the drums, which sound a bit artifical, as with Aarni.
That aside, I find it a bit difficult to describe the music on this album. First of all, it takes a long time to get into the Umbra Nihil style. Although doom riffs feature in many of the songs, the music doesn't closely compare to anything out there. The seven songs on 'Gnoia' are varied, enigmatic, and very melodic. They progress through their structures in a very natural, but original way. While it may be difficult to really get into them and find something, they're not boring.
My favourite tracks are the title track and 'Shields Down', which gets my vote for one of the most unusual song titles in doom. Wherever it comes from (Star Trek?), it has some beautiful acoustic/electric melodies. The solo on 'Gnoia' is equally great. Another interesting track is the Lovecraftian 'The Dreams In The Witch-house', the heavy parts of which remind me of that other Lovecraft-inspired classic, 'The Thing That Should Not Be', by Metallica.
This isn't an album that immediately grips you by the head and shouts "I'm brilliant", right in your face. Like I said, I think many people will have a hard time liking and/or grasping this album. Nevertheless, I think it's worthwhile to give this one a shot, especially if you're in for a bit of unconventional, but certainly good doom.
1. Nocturnal Occurences
2. Fear Of The Void
3. Gnoia
4. Shields Down
5. Words Left Unspoken
6. The Dreams In The Witch-house
7. Fade Out
Approx. 61 minutes