bartosso The Beast's suffering

Doom metal, more than any other extreme genre, is about emotional soundscapes. There's no place for virtuosity, fast solos, mindblowing twists and tempo changes that usually make up for lack of soul and heart in a work. Slow pace, massive riffs, simple and monumental drumming and depressive sung or growled lyrics - that's what doom metal is about. And that's what Ablaze in Hatred is about. This Finnish band is a classic example of crushing doom performers, who by epic and gloomy music share their vision and pain with the audience.

Ablaze in Hatred is a band that rely on massive riffs, deep growling and ephemeral keyboard in the background. The music is very slow and atmospheric, but generally tame. After several tracks the album starts to tire me a bit, but it's redeemed by a couple of great pieces and nice dark folk feel that adds some identity to this rather unremarkable doom metal effort. The band don't try to diversify their style or at least add something unexpected. However, it is still a solid record, with great ambiance and a few great atmospheric themes.

THE QUIETUDE PLAINS, second release from Ablaze in Hatred, is a good death/doom metal record, recommended to all fans of this genre. If you seek for slow and majestic music with epic and gloomy atmosphere, this album will be the right choice.

TRACKS BY RATINGS: 8/10: A Walk Through the Silence 7/10: My Dearest End 6/10: The Wandering Path; Beyond the Trails of Torment; The Quietude Plains; Therefore I Suffer 5/10: Perfection of Waves