And damn, have I found a gem of an album in there.
Löbo is a band from Lisbon, Portugal. That's about all I know about this enigmatic act. I also know that they released an album in 2010. Finally, I know that this album is going into my best-of-2016 so far list. Why? Because it transcends the entire doom metal scene and pierces right into the heart of the mysterious world of drones and dark ambient where guitars, drums and electronics come together in a slow frenzy of sounds.
That being said, you now might think 'Oh, a Sunn O))) copycat', but up yours. This is way more that a copycat. This is Sunn O))) meets Barn Owl meets Master Musicians Of Bukkake meets Nadja meets Evoken and then there still are the haunting electronics. Opener 'Carne e sombra' is a slow ambient track, almost like an intro promising great things to happen and great things do indeed happen.
The other three tracks are massive pieces of funeral doom inspired drone ambient, creating an hypnotic and immersive sound. The songs drag themselves along on these waves of fuzzed out guitars, drones, synths, minimal melodies and massive drums. With those elements, 'Matei os meus mestres - Silenciei os meus ídolos' is simply a masterpiece and a highlight in this entire scene.
I know I'm being extremely lyrical about this act and with good reason too. Even as a die-hard doom, funeral doom and drone doom fan, I regard this as one of the best albums I've heard in years. It has everything you could possibly want in this genre and as a plus, it is completely instrumental. So yes, it comes highly recommended and I can't wait until these guys hit the road and come over to Belgium. Apart from The Cure, this might be the only gig I'm really, really, really, waiting for...
Serge