Witchcraft - The Alchemist (2007)

Dust off those flairs, polish your lava lamp and shove your Wolfmother up your arse because Witchcraft hath returned with another slice of Pentagram worshipping 70s nostalgia. Skirting the borders between stoner and doom The Alchemist channels the aural essence of decades past through a sonic time warp.

It's an analogue masterpiece that's oozing with old school flair, Witchcraft once again managing to bring the crisp grain of vinyl to the digital masses. Subtle distortion meets jangly clean strumming, supported by groove soaked workhorse drumming and lively bass that dances between root notes like a court jester. The re-recorded 'If Crimson Was Your Colour' (previously seeing release on a limited vinyl) even adds authentic Moog to the mix.

The tracks themselves are some of the bands strongest to date. Never afraid to flaunt their influences, 'Hey Doctor' invokes the very spirit of Sabbath, driven by crunching riffs, vintage solo and Ward style drum breakdowns. Magnus Pelander's voice has never sounded stronger either, accented by some subtle vocal harmonies. Album highlight 'Samaritan Burden' is a grooving cacophony of funked up drumming and proggy leads. It simmers and flows to an expectedly climactic end, only to ebb away into Jethro Tull style folksy noodlings. 'Remembered' is really the only "duff" track, that whilst not bad in its own right just doesn't fit the flow of the rest of the album. It opens with a 60s styles bouncy intro and closes with a King Crimson-esque style saxophone solo. It has more of an air of "bonus track" to it, and serves as a slight interruption before the lengthy epic title track. The only other problem is the length as at just over 40 minutes you'll find yourself repeating the album to sate your appetite.

As it stands, anybody spurting the old "they don't make music like they used to" really has no excuse. This is 70s heaven.

8/10

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