Thursday 1 November 2018

Alunah - Amber and Gold EP (CD Review)


Alunah – Amber and Gold

01. Mangata
02. Amber & Gold
03. Awn
04. Wicked Game

David Day (Guitar)
Sian Greenaway (Vocals)
Jake Mason (Drums)
Daniel Burchmore (Bass)



Midlands based Doom band, formed in 2006 by vocalist and guitarist Sophie Day.
Over the next decade they toured constantly and released four albums and a couple of singles.
In November 2017, Day decided to leave the band and was replaced by Greenaway.





New line up has just released their debut EP and first up to blast my speakers is, ‘Mangata’ which acts as an “intro” to ‘Amber & Gold’ and a chance to hear what’s on offer.
It is good, typical slow pounding rhythms, solid bass work, great guitar playing and a deep, dark and enchanting vocal delivery.

‘Awn’ is more of the same; they have a great sound with a production that allows the music to sound live.

Just hoping that this is not the Chris Isaak song as the last track is called ‘Wicked Game’.
Unfortunately it IS that song, so I do like the original and always thought that HIM gave it their “Love-Metal” treatment to update the sound, but a Doom version?
So (as with any review) I have to take a personal view, I really don’t think it starts off well, the guitar almost sounds out of tune trying to replicate the higher notes of the original, BUT, oh yes suddenly it all goes quiet and then when the vocal comes in, suddenly they have doomed the song (Err “Love-Doom” anyone?) with slow almost ambient backing, then when the guitar comes in the rhythm and style is based more on the Him version and somehow they manage to bring it all together for a crescendo of superb playing at the end.

Neat little EP, look forward to a full length album sometime next year.

Rating 9/10
For Fans Of: Death Penalty, Lucifer (Gaz Jennings), The Slow Death, Blood Ceremony.


UK Tour Dates for the rest of the year:
03 November - The Green Room, Welwyn Garden City
17 November - Asylum 2, Birmingham
01 December - The Rigger, Stoke
08 December - The Swan, Ipswich

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