doom / post metal / sludge metal
Formed in Genk, Belgium, Splendidula does something bizarrely interesting with doom, sludge and post metal. In fact, what they do is so unusual that I had to listen to the whole thing a few times before it finally dawned on me. Sludge metal is slowly turning into what we used to call "gothic doom". Or in other words: "Am I listening to a long-lost The Gathering album?" Perhaps there I gave this band the biggest compliment of all, and not just because of the female vocals. Being compared to that legendary band is a heavy burden to carry but it truly feels like this band contains some extraordinary talents. But let's start with the beginning.
The intro made me giggle and search through my Misantronics collection. I'm sure it's a coincidence but opener 'Post' sounds a lot like my own ambient work from a few years back. I don't mind, it's a neat opener. Plus it's followed by the smashing 'Nami', a melodic yet heavy metal song that made me write that opening paragraph. Immediately that nineties female fronted metal sound comes pushing forward, much to my delight.
Just for the record: I refuse to call this gothic metal, but yeah, there are resemblances. 'Too Close To Me' even raises the bar, nudging back toward goth rock and pagan doom, perhaps influenced by leading ladies like Chelsea Wolfe. And, since we're going into the "why-the-hell-not" stuff, there is a cool psychedelic rock solo in this song. Yeps, they've got it all.
I can't say all of these songs are unique pieces of metal. '.38' is an excellent doom metal tune, well executed and performed. Yet, halfway through the album, the listener knows that this act is capable of so much more than excellent doom metal. Take 'Insanity' for example. Now there is a standout tune (just like 'Nami'), driving on grinding guitars and guided by Kristien's strong voice. Another one of those highlights is the strange 'Stream Of Concioussness', containing odd sounds and an infectious, rolling bass.
In all, 'Post Mortem' is a great album and yeah, perhaps a worthy replacement for the now defunct Bathsheba. Kristien is a formidable singer/songwriter, backed by a well-adjusted band. I haven't had the pleasure of seeing them live yet, but if their stage performance is a solid as their songwriting skills, Splendidula will be ready to conquer the bigger doom metal stages. My advice? Check it out, and then check it out again, and again. This is a grower.
Serge
The intro made me giggle and search through my Misantronics collection. I'm sure it's a coincidence but opener 'Post' sounds a lot like my own ambient work from a few years back. I don't mind, it's a neat opener. Plus it's followed by the smashing 'Nami', a melodic yet heavy metal song that made me write that opening paragraph. Immediately that nineties female fronted metal sound comes pushing forward, much to my delight.
Just for the record: I refuse to call this gothic metal, but yeah, there are resemblances. 'Too Close To Me' even raises the bar, nudging back toward goth rock and pagan doom, perhaps influenced by leading ladies like Chelsea Wolfe. And, since we're going into the "why-the-hell-not" stuff, there is a cool psychedelic rock solo in this song. Yeps, they've got it all.
I can't say all of these songs are unique pieces of metal. '.38' is an excellent doom metal tune, well executed and performed. Yet, halfway through the album, the listener knows that this act is capable of so much more than excellent doom metal. Take 'Insanity' for example. Now there is a standout tune (just like 'Nami'), driving on grinding guitars and guided by Kristien's strong voice. Another one of those highlights is the strange 'Stream Of Concioussness', containing odd sounds and an infectious, rolling bass.
In all, 'Post Mortem' is a great album and yeah, perhaps a worthy replacement for the now defunct Bathsheba. Kristien is a formidable singer/songwriter, backed by a well-adjusted band. I haven't had the pleasure of seeing them live yet, but if their stage performance is a solid as their songwriting skills, Splendidula will be ready to conquer the bigger doom metal stages. My advice? Check it out, and then check it out again, and again. This is a grower.
Serge
