
Here is another one of those surprisingly haunting doom metal efforts, courtesy of Catania, Sicily residents Fordomth. Formed in 2013, this band started working on their debut in 2015. Yet, due to line-up changes and other set-backs, several years passed before its official release.
But it was definitely worth the wait. 'I.N.D.N.S.L.E.' (which stands for "In Nomine Dei Nostri Satanas Luciferi Excelsi") is a pulverizing piece of doom metal, laced with sludge, post-metal and depressive black metal. Torpid, sluggish and direful, Fordomth borrows elements from Evoken, Ahab and Nortt, but their list of influences also contains bands like Primitive Man and Wiegedood. The album contains four tracks and a gloomy intro. It's a concept album about damnation, from a Satanic point of view.
Perhaps the most unusual aspect of this album is the use of clean vocals and often whispers, along with the guttural growls and the blackened screams. These different vocals alternate over seemingly eternal guitars and methodical drums., all in perfect funeral doom tradition. It's probably no surprise that the center piece of the album, 'Chapter III - Eternal Damnation' goes on for almost twenty-five minutes. Here, I can hear some influences from the post-rock/metal and even the post-hardcore scene, interwoven with the tormenting slowness of funeral doom.
The entire album is one huge ritual of catharsis and despair, recommended only for seasoned doom metal addicts. Although slow and lingering, 'I.N.D.N.S.L.E.' contains more than enough variation to keep the listener in its grasp. Of course it's not an easy-listening album. Instead, this needs to be played loud while you exorcise your own demons and fight your own neverending tunnel of nothingness. 'I.N.D.N.S.L.E.' is a remarkable album, one that will haunt your dreams for years to come.
Serge