Release Date- 17th December 2021
Label- Venerate Industries
You would be forgiven to think that an album being released in December could be played over the Christmas period which would bring festive cheer. Agnes Vein, in this regard are the scrooge of Christmas with the release of their new doom and gloom album Deathcall, via Venerate Industries.
Formed in 2004, the band have had many ups and downs over their nearly twenty years of existence and this is their first album since 2013’s remarkable Soulship. Eight years is a long time in-between records. So, has the break rekindled the flames ready to roast some chestnuts or is the fire nothing but smouldering ashes with no chance of revival?
Thankfully Agnes Vein have enough breath in them and the flames are rising high. Still holding true to the doomy template as well as mixing black and sludge metal into proceedings, this is an album that keeps the listener interested during the six tracks.
Long instrumental passages with a bass tone that pounds through your chest booms across the whole record. Heavy, sludgy riffs and despairing vocals sit above simple yet effective use of innovative drum fills. There is also something to be said about album covers with this style of simplicity. A bone sat on a backdrop of luscious mix of bright and dark lights is just stunning.
‘Vultures Hymn’, the single off the album, starts with a chugging bass line and carries throughout. Vocals at times verging on the style of Primordials Alan Averill "Nemtheanga" add to the thick riffs which give way to an instrumental outro with luscious guitar leads, a head banging riff and a stadium rock style finish.
It has the staple of most doom albums, with hefty riffs and an atmosphere of desolation which is owing much to the production. It is also brings into it other elements of the scene, noticeably sludge which is prevalent in ‘Sovereign Star’, which also has the doom equivalent intro of the track ‘Seasons in the Abyss’ by Slayer.
Doom bands often repeat riffs over and over which can become a laboured listen at times. Agnes Vein on the other hand have such an assortment of genres mixed in here that it’s a joy waiting for what is around the corner. ‘They Who Neared the Portals’ is a prime example of this, just when you think it’s a trudging track they craft in a Black Metal section similar to Gorgoroth’s earlier works which adds another element of diversity to their sound.
Deathcall is a vivid body of work from an underground band, who hopefully will be taking this out on the road and sitting on festival bills where they can get the exposure they rightly deserve.
With Deathcall being released so late in 2021 and Christmas festivities in full swing, it would be a shame for this to be missed and slip under the radar. Although maybe skip playing it around the table on Christmas day with the family.
8/10
Joey
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