(Eyes Like Snow) Total Time: 53:35
Having missed the 2009 demo of the German Doom Metallers Wheel, their debut album arrived in my hands as a big surprise as I was simply unaware of their existence. The front cover and the band name somehow prepared me for a band ready to bring the retro 70s music straight on my stereo speakers. But I followed the good old advice that says "never to judge a book by its cover", yes the advice is right. I discovered a treasure in here as Wheel have nothing to do with retro stuff (that I generally like if it is inspired). Wheel are delivering straight, melodic, heavy and emotional Doom Metal.
Two are the main features that really got me to stick on the music of those Germans, making me put their debut release high on the list of my latest favorite albums: First of all their into the point, inspired riffing and lead guitar themes that are blessed with a mysterious, dark touch. Yes I would repeat: straight and into the point riffing and melodies. They are not trying to sound technical and they are not using a lot of themes during a single song. They are hand-picking some of the best, most inspired and heaviest Doom riffs you would be able to hear, making them to be the base of their songs. They are also adding those mysterious and magnificent lead guitar themes and the result is magical. So feature number one is the guitars.
You want to know the feature number two. Well of course I am refering to the EXCELLENT voice of Arkadius Kurek. Yes indeed this is my favorite style of vocals. Very melodic, emotional able to reach some good high notes. He is using some really great vocal melodies "climbing" to the heavy riffs of the songs. He also has a unique way to express every single feeling of pain, sorrow and agony using his vocals. His way of singing is simply magnificent and for sure it is the strongest feature of this great Doom Metal band. I guess I need to check the other Heavy Metal he used to sing for: Avanitas.
I also get excited with the lyrics and the song titles of this little masterpiece. Mystery, darkness, emotion, pain and fantasy, some anger, some criticism, some religious stuff... all those can be found in this magic river of words.
The production is ideal for the Doom Metal that this great bands delivers. Heavy and crystal clear. Without the bass hitting you in the face and with an ideal guitar sound that really attracted me.
I would like to notice my pickups from the album although that I always hear it from the beginning to the end, but I have two favorites: The opening track called "The Mills Of God" (I would hardly forget the fact that this track really blown me away when I first put the album on the CD player for listening) and the "Eyes Of The Hydra" track which is one of the best Doom Metal songs I heard recently.
Listening to this album I remember a conversation we once had with my friend Gerrit from Dawn Of Winter. He was trying to explain to me that Doom Metal is the ideal music that really helps you focus in your own emotion. It is slow, it is melodic, -like s strange caress I would add- it helps you to concentrate and finally make the deep dive INSIDE the music. Well this is exactly the way I felt listening to this album.
This is strongly recommended.
