Return to Nothingness
Album: Retour vers le N'eant
Label: Atramentum Productions
2012
Hailing from Montreal, this one man band has released an album of great potential. "Retour..." is lo-fi black metal performed with passion and exuberance. Limited to 100 copies and only available on cassette (now that's Kvlt!), "Return to Nothingness", utilizes fast tremolo guitar picking to catchy effect! The album as a whole is divided between a black metal fury and keyboard instrumental melody. The vocals, harsh with a slight echo.
On some songs, such as "Retour vers le Néant Partie 3 - La Mélancolie", the keyboards soar over the guitars much the same way as Dimmu Borgir used them on their album, "Stormblast". Otherwise, other instrumentals, like "1ère Entracte - Adieu...", demonstrate simple melodies to create an effective melancholic atmosphere.
I was not expecting anything when I was suggested this hidden gem by Frank at Profusion Montreal, but I can say that this first album by Lord Draconis (the sole member/songwriter) is one that promises greater things to come! Simple, but foreshadows greatness. Grab it while quantities last!
Standout tracks include: "Retour vers le Néant Partie 1 - Apocalypse" and "Retour vers le Néant Partie 3 - La Mélancolie".
7.5/10
Review
Path of Amok
Demo 2013
Atramentum Productions
2013
Emerging from Quebec, PATH OF AMOK’s premier demo storms out of the gate as an extraordinary listen featuring three uniquely dreary cuts. Predominantly, mid-paced and distressingly somber, the demo boasts a highly professional sound and mature song writing that rivals seasoned albums courtesy of Morbus, the brainchild who plays all the instruments.
“Newborn from a Nasal Trip” begins with a slow, doomy riff, reminiscent of early Candlemass before leading the listener to more “deathly” climes. Replete with agonizing clean and screamed vocals leave very little room for misunderstanding; this is not happy music. The musical ideas flow easily and are memorable enough to cling too, but not necessarily “toe-tapping” or catchy.
The dirty guitar sound continues into “Till Death’s Morbid Satisfaction”, as its dense, dramatic sensibility supports the hopelessness the lyrics convey. Shifts in rhythm and melody keep the interest while the song’s solo is a definite highlight harkening back to Katatonia, era “Dance of December Souls”. Falling within a similar mood, “Destroyer of Happiness” conjures images of foreboding landscapes as its driving tempo attest0s, all the while never being predictable or mundane.
PATH OF AMOK is certainly a demo with more than a typical “garage-like” quality, both in sound and song writing. All three songs provide a palatable sense of longing and anguish. Limited to a mere 50 copies, this one’s sure to sell out fast!
8.5/10
Review By : Chrismetalreviews Wheeler
