Pelata I didn't think it was possible, but The Wounded Kings have cranked everything up a couple of notches on this album. The creepy parts are creepier, the oppressive drones are more weighty, and the overall dark intensity of the last record has been compounded. Mixing the atmospheric dirges of Funeral Doom with the epic melody of Traditional Doom, The Wounded Kings are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the modern Doom Metal scene.

'Baptism Of Atlantic' has a downright suffocating presence (especially in headphones). The instrumentation here, and on the entire record for that matter, carries a raw, classic tonality despite the ocean of reverb it's drifting in. Vocally, we're being pummelled with an anguished, depressing (yet very clean) delivery. The 8-minute 'The Sons Of Belial' continues the descent into pitch black madness. The entire album, from 'The Swirling Mist' to 'Invocation Of The Ancients' plays out like a slow, crushing ritual in honor of a malevolent deity.

Listening to 'The Shadow Over Atlantis', one can picture the band live...no front lights, only backlit with tons of smoke. The entire crowd still and silent while being engulfed and consumed by the vibe that The Wounded Kings puts out. That's how cavernous and relentless this album is.

Pelata This is easily one of the most grim Doom Metal releases I’ve ever had the morbid pleasure of experiencing. Hailing from Dartmoor, The Wounded Kings arrive from the black fog with tales of horror, suicide and occult headspace. Comparisons to Electric Wizard would not be too far off...nor to Witchcraft or early Cathedral. This is some dreary, oppressive stuff here.

Atmospherically, 'Embrace of the Narrow House' entrances you like a cold, empty mansion covered in dust and cobwebs. You don’t know what’s coming around the corner, and you don’t think you really want to...but you proceed anyway. In your explorations, you’ll find sinister melodies and frightfully heavy guitars. The reverb-soaked vocals serve more to haunt the music, and subsequently the listener, like a weary, tortured soul as they swirl in and out of the riffs. It’s like an aural spook house from start to finish. 'Master Of Witches' is a Psychedelic Doom masterpiece and 'Melanthos' creeps up behind you like a malicious entity. The acoustic 'Shroud Of Divine Will' sounds like the closing credit theme to some old, macabre, black and white horror film...amazing.

Overall, this is a highly recommended release. If you like your Doom splattered with Lovecraft-esque spirit, night terrors and mind-bending ambience, you can’t go wrong with The Wounded Kings. This one will leave a mark.