2017
If you look on the Metal Archives there are a fuck of a lot of bands that start with the word "altar". As of right now they can all drop the act and move on to something else beside music. Having sold my soul to these Helsinki' hell rockers thanks to the forthcoming "Among the Ruins", Altar of Betelgeuze is the only structure going that is worthy of sacrificial offerings! For those of you who are new to the name, Finland's Altar of Betelgeuze play a stoned version of doom metal that fearlessly takes it cues from a wide range of sources. Influences like death metal, traditional heavy metal, desert rock, and seventies (raw) hard rock are one glorious thing in and of itself, but when you tack on some serious affection for "Louder Than Love"-era Soundgarden...well, you've hit me right in the heart! This ingenuous group, which near-perfectly utilizes (Chris Cornell-like) clean vocals and surreal death metal growls, has one EP and two full-length albums to it's name since forming in 2010. My first review for Heavy Metal Time Machine Machine was in mid-December of 2010 and it's (bass & guitar heavy) albums like this one that keep things fresh! Hell, I'd even go so far as to say that I have NEVER heard a band like Altar of Betelgeuze in all that time. This is by far the most interesting (and down right enjoyable!) death doom metal band that I've ever come across!! From the actual performances to the album's lyrical content (with special props given to the clean and harsh blend of vocals!) everything about "Among the Ruins" gives me chills! When 2017 comes to an end, "Among the Ruins" will be labeled on of the years BEST doom releases. Don't sleep on this my friends. You're going to want to get on-board with this Finnish band now!
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