MORGION: CLOAKED BY AGES, CROWNED IN EARTHMorgion is a U.S. death/doom band that is far closer to doom metal than death metal. The only real death metal elements are the occasional (very occasional) extreme vocals. Otherwise, the music is much more of a somber and solemn doom metal style. The music is very similar to My Dying Bride, in that the songs are long and very slow. This is not music to listen to while operating heavy machinery, but if you can put it on in a dark room, it will sound great to just sit and listen to.
SYRACH: DAYS OF WRATHThis Norwegian doom metal band also has some death metal elements in their music, but they are a little more obvious than those of Morgion. The vocals are very impressive: gravelly death metal-style growling. The music is slow and heavy with melodic guitar leads running throughout. "Stigma Diabolikum" is an incredible song, with a great lead running during the chorus and brudge. It's melodic, yet somber and pained. This album completely went under the radar but is a great example of death/doom from a country not really known for it.
ISOLE: BLISS OF SOLITUDEThe Swedish epic doom metal band Isole presents an extremely slow and melancholic album. The music is slow-building yet majestic. The band really does play epic music. The vocals are mostly done in a clean style and match up very well with the music. The riffs can be earth-shakingly heavy at times, yet the melodies still remain very powerful and strong. This is a very long album and it is slow, so patience is needed, but it is a very rewarding listen.
MISERY'S OMEN: MISERY'S OMENOkay, this one is terrifying. This is an EP from a band that plays what can best be described as blackened doom metal. It's not a real big subgenre, but there are a few bands. Australia has been on the cutting edge of combining black metal with other styles for awhile. This is an extremely dark and hostile album with the cold atmosphere and utter sense of impending doom that the two genres each cover separately but which is expertly crafted together on this album. The vocals are what really drives this EP, as they sound frenzied and completely unhinged. The full-length was a little disappointing after hearing this which is why I chose the EP for this list.
HOUR OF 13: HOUR OF 13A newer band that plays excellent traditional doom metal. The album has a retro feel to it. It really sounds like something that would have come out in the 1970's. The music has a bit of an occult feel to it, like something that would be played in an old horror movie involving Satanic rites. The vocals are delivered in a style common to old doom metal bands like Candlemass. This is a great example of a newer band that plays a retro style of metal. I'm looking forward to hearing more from this band.
I may have to check out Morgion. They're named for the god of disease from the Dragonlance universe, books which I read a lot in junior high and high school. (That's one of the things that drew me to Lake of Tears, since they had a song called "Raistlin and the Rose".) As usual on these posts, you make it hard to decide which ones to get first.
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