Category Archives: Reviews

(review) Ornamentos del Miedo – Frío (Darkwoods)

Ornamentos del Miedo is a one man project from Spain and this is brand new two song e.p. with both tracks being well over eleven minutes long. This project has been in the scene since 2017 and there are three full length opuses and two e.p.-s if we include this one. The music is slow funereal doom with growling death vocals reminding me a lot of all those glorious days and early My Dying Bride releases and similar bands like awesome Thergothon back in the days. Besides doom and gloom Ornamentos del Miedo delivers epic melancholic powerful guitar melodies and slow rolling drums provide atmosphere of gloom, sadness and hopelessness with sometimes providing goosebumps on my skin with melancholic melody thrown here and there. Synth backgrounds lay soundscape that takes you and pulls you further into the music and other dimension. Both of these songs provide such richness of sound that I am really glad that I was able to discover this one. Superb doom.

8,5/10

DARKWOODS: Pagan Black Folk Heritage label & distributor

(review) Monotone Depression – X-Life/Isolation

Monotone Depression is an entity hailing from Sweden and this is a re-release of two demos both recorded in 1998 during the entity’s stay at mental institution. As Bandcamp says, music from bipolar dungeon, so I can relate to psychological side of things, because I am on the similar side as this entity, so I was eager to listen and enjoy this little piece of record. Some of the music on this nine songs has been edited with today’s technology. The music is complicated yet deep and simple at the same time. Some songs have almost punk rock or post punk melody and melancholy feel like Sister Of The Dark. Gothic rock and death rock with interesting vocal effects and gothic melodies are present in Out Of Tune With Life, but I also love depressive black metal influenced guitar work in On A Plane With The Devil. Lyrics are important part of music on this opus, so although some are really minimal, I can understand their meaning and entity behind them. Also, songs that I must mention being a stand out for me are Of Darkness And Suicidal Thoughts and The Loss Of A Worthless Father. This is not for everyone. I love it!

Bandcamp

(review) Nordend – A Okay (Dedication Records)

Nordend are from German hardcore scene and this is their new e.p. containing five songs. I love this one. It is a perfect mixture of modern melodic hardcore with some metal and street punk influences, yet retaining one leg firmly into old school hardcore influences. If I must compare them to some band, they reminded me in some parts of Comeback Kid. Lyrics are in German language with vocals which vary from shouted, angry screaming, spoken word and melodic singing, all that meaning singer is fantastic. Energy Nordend delivers is also totally touchable, you can sense it and almost touch it in the air floating around you and in you. Songs are mainly your fast hardcore punk with some excursions into moshing and metalized parts here and there. As I understand and speak German, lyrics deal with personal demons, survival, coping and finding strength to go on and battle depression, everyday and look deep into yourself and transform all hardcore energy and heart into something worth living and positive. My personal favorites are A-Okay and also Selbstportrait. Great record.

Dedication Records