ninehertz

I happened by this by chance, and am glad I did - a debut of "snarling prog-doom" from London, and yet another band of note to add to the vast wealth of the UK doom underground.

Enter is their appropriately titled introductory offer, beginning in brash and bold style before settling into a melancholic melody, a vague reminder of Haast/Haast's Eagled. It doesn't do too much, but I suspect it acts as a slow burning mood-setting intro track... and yep, it'll be that, based on the doom riff that greets you at the door of the following title track. It's slow and grand, much more and you'd be heading towards Bismuth territories, then picking up the pace, passages broken by whispered spoken word in unusual patterns. It has an odd structure, which isn't completely conducive to appeal, but that slight leftfield approach keeps your attention alive, and the urgency applied feels climactic.

There's a feel of post-rock architecture in Alchemist's Curse - perhaps not musically (layered as it is in doom bulk and tone), but in its creation. You have to tip your hat to Kunubu's refusal to play the tried and tested and over-worn doom templates. Guardian of the Reeds' nice and relaxed opening has me reminded of Enos, a British stoner band who also did things their own way, loungey and low lying atmospheric, whilst the closing The Iron Tooth of Time's concoction of airy, low-key post-punk atmosphere and disruptive doom riffs has something akin to fellow Londoners Troy the Band.

'Shows promise' can be reviewer code for patronising and truth-avoidance bullshit, but I offer it here in honest enthusiasm, this has high moments of invention. And tellingly, even when it may not hit home quite as you'd like, it consistently feels different and like a band trying to forge their own path, which is especially impressive for a debut and first impression.