Today, we have more submissions from our followers. I must say, this was the first seriously formatted promotion I’ve received since the open application started, earning it a full review. Take note, kids! If you submit something clean and easy to read, people might give you nice things. Just a thought. Shall we begin?
Why have I combined an album and an EP in the same article? Doesn’t that trigger your cognitive dissonance? First, I’m not here to protect you from the horrors of the world. Second, you don’t care about consistency, let’s face it. Third, there’s a thematic line here—both projects, despite being diametrically different, share the same authors (the Tjernbergs?). So, it makes sense that they get reviewed in the same True kvlt article. Enough whining, Are they any good?
Shrouded in Darkness – Be None of You: I have two big things to say about this album: a) Look at that art—it’s breathtaking! b) Dan Swanö mastered this thing. Never in the short history of this site would I have imagined I’d review something where the Lord himself was involved. Obviously, the album sounds excellent (it’s like smooth Skepticism), but don’t think it’s traditionally well-polished and crisp. There’s a bit of that, sure, but Be None also respects the raw, lo-fi sensitivities of Death/Doom and Funeral Doom, giving it that “from the graveyard” feel. Honestly, I’ve never heard such a hybrid in the mixing department. However, this is also an interesting, crushing, and depressing endeavor. I’d even dare to say that Be None is a great introduction for those who dread Funeral Doom because it’s not exactly that—you can fool your friends! Yes, the songs are longer than the line for the toilet at a concert venue after spicy Indian food (and just as bloated), but overall, I’m surprised at how much I liked this thing. It’s professional! You know what to do, click here!
Rot Fester – Condone and Condemn: “Catto, here we go again, more old-school Swedish Death Metal. I’m going to puke my guts out”. You can do that, but clean up after yourself, my corpse-painted child. Rot Fester might sound old-school, but I’d argue that it’s not too obsessed with the Swedish Chainsaw sound and puts a stronger emphasis on its melodic side. In a crazy way, the project reminds me of Hooded Menace with more speed. Hence, in a sub-genre more crowded than your email box, Rot Fester stands out by being even less pretentious than your average Swedish Death Metal band. It’s so easy to listen to. Again, maybe it’s because the same heads are behind this EP, but it also feels like a great introduction to this dirty sound for those who are stuck with the American way of doing Death Metal (there’s more than just hate and violence out there, kids—there’s also anxiety and sadness!). Perhaps my only criticism is the True Kvlt production, where the voice is all the way to the front and the drums really in the back. It doesn’t matter, click here!
There you have it—two completely different projects that came from almost the same group of people. It shows you how much creativity some of us have, and how some of us have none (I’m, of course, talking about the person who sits here and judges musicians’ work). As usual, keep your hopes alive as we continue to pierce through the mountain of submissions we have left. Don’t forget to support your fellow Metalheads/artists or I’ll find you…
Metal Eclipse Reviews 