Reader Submissions: Mortalicum: The Endtime Prophecy

Wow.  That's really the only word that comes to mind here.  I loved this album.  There is nothing quite like a good, hard-rocking doom metal album to pick you up in the morning.  That is exactly what this is.  Instead of the sometimes plodding, slow-paced doom metal, this is somewhat fast-paced and definitely infectious.  It reminds me more of groups like Cirith Ungol and some of Reverend Bizarre's more upbeat stuff such as "Doom Over the World".

"My Dying Soul" immediately kicks things off with a hard-driving riff.  Once vocalist Henrik Hogl comes in with his crooning voice, it is evident that this is going to be a powerful album.  The vocals are the biggest bright spot on this album.  They definitely attract the most attention.  The guitar tone on this album is incredible.  It is beefy and somewhat bluesy and it fits in very well with the vocals.  Many of the tracks have kind of the same structure.  There are a few exceptions, but for the most part many of the songs are alike, which is not at all a bad thing here because the songs are so entertaining.

This is not really an album for doom metal lovers.  While there is doom metal riffs present, the music is faster and more upbeat.  This is more geared towards lovers of traditional heavy metal.  The band brings a lot to the table in songwriting and musical talent.  There is not a single weak track on the entire album.  This is a very good album and possibly one of the year's best.