When I look back at this French bands past releases, I think they are one band with enormous potential but with very little personality of their own. This new album comes some 2 years since their last 'World of Doom' was released and while they still don't have much personality to set them apart from anyone else, the songs themselves are much better this time around. Where as the last album had some memorable riffs but was a somewhat forgettable by-the-numbers kind of doom, this album is catchy, the vocals have improved and there is not a dull moment to be had anywhere on the disc. Now they are still following a much used doom metal formula on 'Pulvis Et Umbra' but this album is full of infectious riffing and tempos that ensure you can't help but get the head nodding to this one.
The band is very much set in the ways of Saint Vitus, Count Raven and to a lesser extent Pagan Altar but there is something warm and friendly about this album that makes this a classic old-school release. The band still have the tendency to plod along but they more than make up for any meandering by injecting a different riff or tempo change just when it's needed and it all works. 'Rise Again' isn't exactly the most exciting opening number and certainly doesn't give out much hope for the rest of the album but things pick up steam with the second cut 'Three Winters of Wars' and the album doesn't let the listener down from that point forward. There is fine guitar work although basic and there are some tasty bass lines that keep things interesting. As just a three-piece, there are passages that seem a bit empty. I love three-piece bands but sometimes bands with these line-ups lack a bit of crunch at vital moments during songs and Surtr do suffer from that at times.
However, 'Pulvis Et Umbra' shows a band progressing in all the right ways and the lack of a unique identity isn't really an issue if the songs are good and this album is indeed packed solid of epic traditional doom metal. The band seems to be able to do a lot with very little. The vocals are nothing special but it is kept enjoyable by a good blend of clean vocals and growls but none of it is over-done in any one area. The musicianship is workman-like and it gets the job done but this is an album that is all about the riffs and this album has some doozies that doom purists should find better than average. Most important of all.....this album sounds like the bands first real complete piece of work. Past efforts have had a demo vibe but that is not the case here. The band have arrived and this deserves to be heard and appreciated. Good album.....8/10.
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The band is very much set in the ways of Saint Vitus, Count Raven and to a lesser extent Pagan Altar but there is something warm and friendly about this album that makes this a classic old-school release. The band still have the tendency to plod along but they more than make up for any meandering by injecting a different riff or tempo change just when it's needed and it all works. 'Rise Again' isn't exactly the most exciting opening number and certainly doesn't give out much hope for the rest of the album but things pick up steam with the second cut 'Three Winters of Wars' and the album doesn't let the listener down from that point forward. There is fine guitar work although basic and there are some tasty bass lines that keep things interesting. As just a three-piece, there are passages that seem a bit empty. I love three-piece bands but sometimes bands with these line-ups lack a bit of crunch at vital moments during songs and Surtr do suffer from that at times.
However, 'Pulvis Et Umbra' shows a band progressing in all the right ways and the lack of a unique identity isn't really an issue if the songs are good and this album is indeed packed solid of epic traditional doom metal. The band seems to be able to do a lot with very little. The vocals are nothing special but it is kept enjoyable by a good blend of clean vocals and growls but none of it is over-done in any one area. The musicianship is workman-like and it gets the job done but this is an album that is all about the riffs and this album has some doozies that doom purists should find better than average. Most important of all.....this album sounds like the bands first real complete piece of work. Past efforts have had a demo vibe but that is not the case here. The band have arrived and this deserves to be heard and appreciated. Good album.....8/10.
Official Website
