(Self Financed) Total Playing Time: 33:59
After the 2005 re release of their debut demo “Of Romance And Fire” –originally released back in 1996-, it was Obvious that the Irish Doom Metallers would return back in action offering some new stuff.
“Shadows Of Old Ghosts” EP represents under a very inspired title what exactly have happened with this band. An old ghost form the past that is back still carries its shadow under his dark, deep and mournful music. Despite the fact that the band still remains in the influence of old Anathema / Paradise Lost / My Dying Bride stuff only one word can be said comparing this EP to their previous stuff: evolution.
Three new songs we got in here with the shortest one –“A Tearless Lament”- to be 8:28 minutes long, while the other two are much longer than 10 minutes –“Rise…Fallen Skies” lasts 11:47 minutes and “Gathering Storm” in the longest piece of gloomy art in here lasting 13:37 minutes-. So we got in total about half an our of deep, melancholic and mournful Doom Metal as it was presented back the early to mid 90s in the foggy United Kingdom.
I would point “Rise… Fallen Skies” as their best song in general its mysterious, dark and exotic sound really attracts the listener that would get back to the song again and again thanks to the beautiful eastern-touched melodies. “A Tearless Lament” is totally in the early 90s UK Doom style enforced with mourning lead themes. “Gathering Storm” is the most adventurous –but still mournful in a whispering mysterious way-song of the EP, carrying some really great melodies and tombstone riffing but I would say that the piano themes and the melancholic lead guitar themes are the top elements of this great composition.
I would not put their vocals into the typical “Death” style that was common back in the days when the music that has inspired them was presented in the UK. The vocals are sounding aggressive but they can’t be pointed as Death Metal in no way. Moreover they now enforce their songs, with melodic clean vocals, whispers and narrations.
Good to see such bands going back in action. We for sure need such great music, we got many winters to spend and this kind of music can be the ideal company. Enough said the EP is a must have, so go for it.
