doom / gothic
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Released only a few weeks ago, 'The Sentinel And The Murderer' is the latest album by Russian gothic doom band Inner Missing. I've just finished the review for their previous album, 'Defeat' and I got extremely curious about what the band is up to since that one. The thing that got me most interested was the post-rock addition to their style, which was already present in the final songs of 'Defeat'. Furthermore, I was curious about the bariton voice and how it would work in the new album.
And, well, braces yourselves, this stuff is going places.
The album opens with 'The Castle' which starts of where the previous album left us: gothic doom metal. Yet, very soon the post-rock elements come shining through in the form of immersive guitar riffs and a lot of symphonic elements. These create elaborate passages of instrumental music which are extremely enjoyable. Furthermore, suddenly, blast beats appear, enhancing the 'wow' effect of the whole. This band is once again showing us their knack for variation and evolution.
And where does the baritone voice come in? Well, either I'm used to it by now or the voice fits better with the music than on 'Defeat'. In 'Heartstrings' for example, it gives the whole an alienating, obscure edge, perfectly aligning itself with the music. The music itself once again drives on these immersive riffs and tempo, even when the guitars are replaced by piano at times. The gothic electronic elements are also still present, making the whole a real adventure.
It seems that Inner Missing is taking everything from the previous album and talking it a bit further. 'The Aspen and the Cross' shows more folk elements. 'Arrows' comes up with Samael-like industrial metal. 'Adrift' excells in combining fierce guitars, blackened riffs and otherwise very Diary Of Dreams inspired dark music. It's a strange experience to witness all these influences pressed together but nonetheless quite an interesting one.
By now it should be clear that Inner Missing is a unique band in the doom metal genre, both continuously evolving and firmly placing themselves in their own distinct niche. I think this is the stuff you either adore or hate and it certainly is something that needs some getting used to. It's a challenge for the listener but at the same time it's a wonderful journey filled with odd discoveries. I just finished listening to 'The Sentinel' and the brilliant 'The Murderer', the two closing tracks, and I'm already curious where we're going to on the next album. But for now, let's enjoy this one a little more...
Serge
And, well, braces yourselves, this stuff is going places.
The album opens with 'The Castle' which starts of where the previous album left us: gothic doom metal. Yet, very soon the post-rock elements come shining through in the form of immersive guitar riffs and a lot of symphonic elements. These create elaborate passages of instrumental music which are extremely enjoyable. Furthermore, suddenly, blast beats appear, enhancing the 'wow' effect of the whole. This band is once again showing us their knack for variation and evolution.
And where does the baritone voice come in? Well, either I'm used to it by now or the voice fits better with the music than on 'Defeat'. In 'Heartstrings' for example, it gives the whole an alienating, obscure edge, perfectly aligning itself with the music. The music itself once again drives on these immersive riffs and tempo, even when the guitars are replaced by piano at times. The gothic electronic elements are also still present, making the whole a real adventure.
It seems that Inner Missing is taking everything from the previous album and talking it a bit further. 'The Aspen and the Cross' shows more folk elements. 'Arrows' comes up with Samael-like industrial metal. 'Adrift' excells in combining fierce guitars, blackened riffs and otherwise very Diary Of Dreams inspired dark music. It's a strange experience to witness all these influences pressed together but nonetheless quite an interesting one.
By now it should be clear that Inner Missing is a unique band in the doom metal genre, both continuously evolving and firmly placing themselves in their own distinct niche. I think this is the stuff you either adore or hate and it certainly is something that needs some getting used to. It's a challenge for the listener but at the same time it's a wonderful journey filled with odd discoveries. I just finished listening to 'The Sentinel' and the brilliant 'The Murderer', the two closing tracks, and I'm already curious where we're going to on the next album. But for now, let's enjoy this one a little more...
Serge