Gnaw Their Tongues - Reeking, Pained, and Shuddering (2007)

Just reading the band and album names you'll get a decent idea of what's coming. This is convulsing, wretched torture just waiting to skitter its contorted dance out of your speakers and into the soft recesses of your mind. Pounding, scratching, and moaning, Gnaw Their Tongues envelop the listener in the stained horror of an eternity of murder. There are no shambling puppets of death, no erotic specters of the dark to be found here - only the sickest thoughts of homicide crashing about inside a mind most consumed with the passions of hate. This is for lovers of dark ambient, industrial noise, black metal, and the sick that is tucked far away from the sun. Serial killers seem to be a majour inspiration for the band, and I'm sure Ed Gein would be proud of this tribute to him.

Points lost for mindless blasting that went on too long in "Nihilism, Tied Up and Burning," and the semi-filler feel of "The Evening Wolves." If you like Senthil, Blutgericht, Zoat-Aon, Axis of Perdition, or any fucked-up noise, you need this.

8/10

Senthil - Septisemesis EP (2007)

Alright, it's time for another funeral doom release that probably none of you will like, but that I absolutely love. Senthil is easily the most fucked-up band I've heard. Jumping right in with some Nattramn-esque shock factor, the singers in this Texan band purportedly choke themselves with chains to create some of the vocals, and you'll believe it listening to the music. Shrieks, choking, roaring, gurgles, and general throat-mutilation saturate their music as if it were a recording of the most disgusting torture ever performed in a mental ward. The music is suitably dirty, plodding, and pensive. This is stripped-down, gritty, suicidal blackened funeral doom, so don't be expecting anything close to complex songwriting. Atmosphere is everything here, and there's nothing quite as sick as this. Of note on this album are the toned-down presence of guitars and the increased usage of backing synths, creating a more subdued and thoughtful sound.

While I'm not sure if I like this more than their split with Bosque, Septisemesis shows a strong refinement of Senthil's sound, and a worthy new offering. Hopefully the recent loss of one of their guitarists to suicide won't cripple further material from these sick fuckers. Don't check this out if you have no love for the extreme slow n low.

4/5

Depressed Mode - Ghosts of Devotion (2007)

The Finns are at it again. By it, I, of course, mean crushing DOOO000oooOOOOOm. Depressed Mode certainly ascribe to the beautiful style of their countrymen. But whereas Shape of Despair focus their synths on ambience, Depressed Mode adopt a symphonic/classical edge to their music with piano and string-work, a la Remembrance. However, I'd have to say this is a much more polished and epic release than Frail Visions. Taking some cues from melodoom, Depressed Mode keep a slightly faster pace than typical funeral doom bands, serving to keep the music compelling. Vocals are very reminiscent of Evoken's dry, world-weary roars, which is not a bad thing. Not a bad thing at all.

The album proceeds much as you'd expect, with crushing waves and idyllic interludes. The track "Fallen Angel" does throw in some poppy electronic drums in the beginning, and there is a passable cover of Burzum's classic "Dunkelheit," although they oddly decided to change the keys to a far less interesting sound (amusingly, this funeral doom cover is shorter than the original). The classical elements blend smoothly, never becoming cheesy or pretentious, and are a welcome addition to the funeral formula. It is of note that Natalie Koskinen, of Shape of Despair fame, lends her lovely voice to this funereal debut.

Doom heils to the Finns once again - Firedoom adds another winner with Depressed Mode.
9/10