Somber Serenity "Singular"
Review 01.2003

Somber Serenity's debut album "Singular" is currently being promoted by Medusa Productions, after the band's previous (unknown) label didn't do a satisfactory job. I don't know why, because "Singular" is a fine debut indeed.

Although the band misses the power to be a large player in the underground, the dark metal played by this quintet from the southern region of Germany is enjoyable enough to spin some rounds in my stereo even after doing this review.
The eight tracks on "Singular" boast a bit of a too compact sound, but all elements are equally hearable. Drums and guitar are mixed in the front, while bass and vocals get a little less attention. A wise decision, and not because the vocals are bad or something, but the clean and subdued vocals by Daniel just sound better when enclouded by a wall of guitars. Apart from some acoustic and slow passages, the bass isn't very well audible.
The songs by Somber Serenity's full-length debut are quite long, and although they're not boring at all, they don't have melody or atmosphere enough to haunt your mind as they could have. The compositions aren't very exciting, but well-exercised and the dark atmosphered metal is hard to compare with other bands. This is an advantage ofcourse since it reveals some originality indeed.

Not a bright star in the dark metal scene this German band, but definitely not bad! With some improvements in the "excitement area" and a more balanced sound these guys could get a high score next time.

SINGULAR Reviewed by Serge on January 6, 2003

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