The Sabbathian - Latum Alterum (CD Review)

01. Requiem…
02. The Brightest Light
03. Liti Kjersti
04. Head Of A Traitor
05. One Night Of Cruelty
06. Embrace The Dark
07. Evig Hvile Libera Me…

Anette Uvaas Gulbrandsen (Vocals)
Joey Downs (Guitars)
Chad Davis (Guitars/Bass/Drums)

Guest
Liv Kristine (Vocals)

 US-Norwegian project The Sabbathian, formed by Chad Davis (Hour of 13) and Anette Uvaas Guldbrandsen (Nàttsòl), released their debut EP Ritual Rites on Svart Records in 2014.
Their debut album is scheduled for release on January 25th on LP, digital and limited double CD (including Ritual Rites EP on CD for the first time).
The album is a considerably darker affair compared to the EP, a step away from the origins of doom metal and towards the heavier sounds of bands such as Bathory or Candlemass.
Vocalist Anette describes the album thus: "The overall theme can be described as slightly morbid, as it is very much about passing over to the other side - latum alterum. The odd one out is the song Embrace The Dark, which retains the sound of the EP.”

Well after the first play of what seemed to be a stunning mix of epic symphonic doom mastery I completely forgot to write any notes, so looks like I shall have to play it again and try to avoid just cranking up the volume and enjoying this quite so much.

With an intro that sounds like something ‘Clannad’ would produce we are then lead into
‘The Brightest Light’ which has this raw and alive sound of guitar and drums at full volume pounding out this superb Doom laden wall of energy. Then cutting through this is just the most amazing melancholic and beautiful vocal.
This absolute perfect mix of energy and melody continues track after track.

‘Embrace The Dark’ has a much darker feel, very “occult psych” in it’s stunning delivery and then the final song also gives us a slightly different sound, symphonic goth doom perhaps? I’m not sure but it’s as amazing as every other track.

To be honest you can tag this with whatever genre you want to as long as the tag says AWESOME!

I have listened to a lot of music that’s calls itself Doom, Occult Rock etc over the years and this is by far the best I have heard.

Rating 10/10
For Fans Of: Coven, Alunah, Blood Ceremony, Devil’s Blood, Lucifer, Death Penalty