BATHSHEBA — Servus (review)

Album · 2017 · Doom Metal

4.5/5 · 2017-03-10
666sharon666

MMA Reviewer's Challenge: Album selected by Nightfly.

Belgian doom metal act Bathsheba have been around since 2013 and have previously released a demo and an EP. Their first full-length album is 2017's Servus. The band are a female fronted act whose vocalist Michelle Nocon also sings for Death Penalty and previously Serpentcult. Like many in the whole doom with female vocals scene Servus is an album that deals with occult and witchcraft themes. There are quite a few bands like this doing the rounds so how does this one stand out?

Initially, meaning most of the way through the first track Conjuration of Fire, I didn't think the band did at all, though they did establish a heavy, mesmerising charm with their doom riffs quickly enough. Nocon's voice mixed with the fairly fuzzy sounding guitars put me in mind of groups like Jex Thoth or Mount Salem, though unlike them Bathsheba doesn't use any psychedelic elements. Then Michelle Nocon abruptly switched to a growl, which shifted this train of thought entirely. Don't call this death-doom just because it has these extreme elements to it though as there is nothing remotely close to death metal on Servus. It's more like black metal influences if anything, but it isn't quite those either. I like it though.

With the second track Ain Soph the band show off an experimental side by adding in some crazy sounding saxophone work. The album doesn't manage to surprise me quite like that again but does keep showing off more sides to the band such as the long and atmospheric third track Manifest, which features some great lead guitar work from Dwight Goossens during a lengthy instrumental passage that lasts until the end of the song. They save the best for last though with the excellent I at the End of Everything, which I think has some of Michelle Nocon's best singing. It's still got those crushing doom riffs but also a more epic sound to it.

Though my first impression was shaky at best, Bathsheba were quick to win me over with their brand of doom metal. Servus is the kind of album that reminds me that this genre has a lot of good stuff coming out of it that too my shame I tend to largely ignore. I really need to stop doing that.

more than 2 years ago
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Unitron wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Good review, again, sounds interesting. This doesn't sound like the kind of doom metal I'd typically listen to, but I'll check it out.

aglasshouse wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Oh wow! I remember adding these guys, and if I do remember I gave this album a listen when I went to check 'em out. I guess I'll have to give it a better look!

adg211288 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Just checked it out. This is definitely my kind of doom. Loved it.

Nightfly wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Great review Nicole. i just had my first proper listen myself last night and I was impressed and like you I think it's going to be a few more plays before it fully reveals itself.

adg211288 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Sounds like my kind of doom.