Martyrdoom – As Torment Prevails (Pneumoniac Death Doom)
For a name that sounds like a poor play on words at first, these guys can bring it. And talk about a comeback, phew! Having been absent from the scene for roughly six years, it’s almost as though they were reborn to reclaim the glory that was lost. I’ve heard some good death doom recently, but this, this is currently king. King of making me sick to the point of gurgling suffering from my lungs. Prepare to sicken thyself with As Torment Prevails.
Their name might be slightly tongue-in-cheek, but let me tell you Martyrdoom has got this genre mastered. They could rise and rest on this particular album alone. The primary features to note are the inventive, yet not overly experimental riffs, the oppressive tone that successfully combines the best of death and doom metal, and, the crown their achievement, the withering vocals. At times they roar, at others they gurgle out of the throat like pneumonia. Add to this a production quality that’s modern without emasculating the sound and see what comes out of it. I almost didn’t get to this review in time, but I’m more than glad I’m did, I’m converted. A new peak in death doom, for certain.
Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls
Martyrdoom – As Torment Prevails
Memento Mori
Cover Art: Ryszard Wojtyński
4.6 / 5
