Seer: Vol. 5 & 6

We know the doom metal scene is strong in the States and Europe but for a change we come to Canada, specifically Vancouver and the band Seer. They formed in 2014 and released a few EPs until their first full length Vol. 5 & 6. Vol. 5 was originally released in 2017 and nicely complements the next set of songs.

The band has an intense doomy sound that can be disturbingly creepy as well as quite beautiful. Almost like the forces of good and evil stirring the musical pot to see what happens. First of all the guitar work is stellar, the riffs thick and heavy, deeply bone shattering at times. The rhythm section is heavy with the bass producing deep rumblings, giving these tracks a huge and sometimes dramatic sound. The vocals, both clean and growls blend well together and sound great. Adding colour are keyboards and synths and I could well imagine this band is from Scandinavia rather than the west coast of Canada.

The album begins with the softer “Oath Of Exile�, a song you could imagine being played at some ancient pagan ritual. It has a mournful intent as the guitar offers some pretty passages. The earth shattering guitar riffs break free in the ultra-heavy “Iron Worth Striking� with the bass adding its share of heft. The vocals start clean and melodic and lead to some excellent growling, very well done and almost sounding ethereal. The guitar riffs, while heavy, are also very creative adding some progressive notes as well. The doom metal riffs in “Seven Stars, Seven Stones� conjure images of Black Sabbath, accented with keyboards and clean soaring vocals, it is another very dramatic slice of metal. Wonderfully played guitar leads off “Frost Tulpa�, as the music slowly builds from soft to quite demonic as the riffs crash and burn and the intense vocals send shivers in one of the disc’s heaviest moments. The slowly building crescendo is captivating.

Really, this is one of the creepiest albums I have heard this year and also one of the most creative. It’s a deep and intense listen, perfect for those long cold winter months. A highly recommended release via Artofact Records.

Track Listing:
Vol. 6
1. Oath Of Exile (3:44)
2. Iron Worth Striking (8:39)
3. Seven Stars, Seven Stones (7:21)
4. Frost Tulpa (8:59)
5. As The Light Fades (7:46)
6. Prior Forms (2:26)
Vol. 5
7. The Seed Of Man Descends Upon The God Tomb (1:06)
8. The Face Of The Earth Was Darkened And A Black Rain Began To Fall (10:32)
9. A Primordial Entity Observes From Across The Cosmic Expanse (4:40)
10. The Mantra Is Recited Within The Catacomb Of Shuggnyth (3:04)

Added: November 5th 2019
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 699
Language: english

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