Somber Serenity "Singular"
Review 06.2002

The aptly titled "In solitude divine" begins this hour long epic sounding record that sounds like a cross between a male fronted version of the Gathering, and Opeth. With the sombre passages, that are drawn out with acoustic and clean guitars, and sweetly whispered vocals combining with the shrieking death vocals, over mainly mid paced and deliberate guitars and intricate drum sections, the comparisons to a cross between both those bands seems about correct.

"Tragedy Star" glides along like a more full on black metal affair, but with really nice melodies and chords, rather than twisted orchestral sounding passages. Some clever little sections arrive on this song, and throughout the whole of most of the rest of this CD, Somber Serenity constantly throw out the rule book and pass around their knowledge of dynamics of mood, and construction of captivating epic doomy metal.

Third track "Goddess of light" starts of beautifully quiet, and then moves its way in. Paul (Mr Widdle), our resident Opeth fanatic, will simply adore this a) song and b) band on the whole, as probably about three quarters of their obvious influence comes from the mighty Opeth, and it's even more noticeable on this song.

Only "Swallow the sun" at the 7th track seems to move away from this sound, with this being a far more cold and raw mid paced gothic death sounding piece, with the first half sung in German, which really works. The second half has a subtle change of music style and of language choice and storms itself around all over the place. A very impressive song indeed.

A beautifully mature and considered long intro to "Nemesis, my childe" begins the final track of the CD, that is definitely one to just blank out the world to and get on with listening. It's a full five minutes before any kind of heaviness kicks into this song, in all almost Celtic Frost / Bathory style, the vocals are almost intentionally drunken sounding, another bizarre but decided upon move. At the seven minute mark, we have yet another change of style, some brilliantly pieced together stabs of guitars and vocals spouting out "My interior you share, mysterious heir, and my very eyes - they bear mere malice for me."

Clocking in at just over 14 minutes this last piece, we can safely speak that this, and the entire thing is a fair epic, that will delight and maybe also enrage the Opeth fans amongst us.

PAUL TANGAROA

Raw Nerve Promotions