Metalcatto
Let’s get something out of the way. This was definitely not the year for Doom Metal. There was simply not much that truly excited me in terms of creativity and madness. Fortunately, there are still some awesome albums to praise today.
5. Faetooth – Labyrinthine
This album was a bit of a surprise. In fact, it was something that took time to fully appreciate, but Faetooth have managed to give us a Sylvaine-like answer to Doom Metal, where slowly but surely the sorrow and hopelessness of everything catch up with you. It makes you feel warm and safe, only to spit aggression in your face by the end. That contrast is what makes Labyrinthine so effective, lulling you into comfort before revealing its full emotional weight.
These veterans show that they can still deliver something meaningful to the community. Sure, the tempo might feel uneven at times, but that’s largely because of the sheer number of bangers they’ve packed in. Ascension hits you right in the feels with the trademark directness and simplicity of an act that has mastered the art of Doom Metal to a degree that now feels effortless.
Many have already praised this album, and for once I’ll join the crowd. Messa is a band that has been mixing Heavy and Doom Metal in a way that consistently feels fresh. With The Spin, it’s done all that and more, achieving a sound that truly belongs to the band. It makes you feel like you’re contemplating your life in the middle of a quiet night. On top of that, the songwriting is outstanding. Enough said—get to it.
2. Võlur & Cares – Breathless Spirit
I wasn’t sure whether to place this here or in the Avant-Garde top, but I’ve decided to keep it here because this album is a total subversion of the Doom formula. It’s without a doubt the most creative thing the subgenre has offered us this year. It’s bold, takes risks, and never stops being interesting. Breathless Spirit is an experience that challenges your preconceptions of what slow Metal can be, and that absolutely deserves recognition.
Last year, I agreed with Pegah, and it seems this year I do too, because my favourite Doom Metal album is Heritage. It is an uncompromising, solid, and heart-wrenching generational journey, wrapped up in Death/Doom that takes the best elements of bands like Swallow the Sun, Officium Triste, and Draconian. There are many derivative attempts at this formula, but Structure’s approach feels deeply personal and authentic. It’s left a huge impression on me. Remember: family stories make some of the best art—not just in literature, but in Metal as well.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 