Band : Doomshine
Album title : The Piper At The Gates Of Doom
Label : Massacre Records
Distributor : Suburban
Release date : 02/07/2010
Release : CD

With only two full albums released so far, Doomshine might not be as famous as any other heavy doom metal band out there, they are far from redundant in the scene. ‘Melodic Doomed Metal’ is how the German quartet describes the music they bring. Doomshine originated early 2003, when the band opened the Doom Shall Rise Festival. One year later, the band released their very first album, entitled Thy Kingdom Come, which was welcomed heartily by many Doom and Heavy Metal fans around the world. Some of them even called it a true revelation.

However, nobody at the time would have thought that it would take them six years to release their next album. And it’s immediately clear that the band will attract even more fans. With The Piper At The Gates Of Doom the band proves its open-minded vision on the genre they bring, by giving a whole new twist to what Doom Metal is really all about. Their non-conformity might even bring them to the ultimate greatest heights within their genre! And what’s even more impressive, is the fact that they did all the work themselves, from the music itself to the beautiful artwork of the new album, left alone its mastering, which was given out of their hands to Andy Horn, who had already been working hard to master albums of bands such as Edenbridge, Halford, LivKristine, MortalLove, etc. Success was guaranteed, especially with these bone hard killer songs.

Unfortunately, though the new songs are so twisted, the expectations I had were much higher after such a long silence. Songs like “Sanctuary Demon”, “Actors of the Storm” and “River of January” are all one by one high-quality and real captivating songs, they require more intense listening to fully grasp them. But, however, it goes without saying that all songs are of an enormous quality and well composed and mastered. Especially “Vanished” will definitely bring you to higher levels. This song just has it all: strength, doom, heavy guitar work and especially a very convincing voice!

With this album, Doomshine might have just outdone themselves, though this feeling will only cross your mind after a third or fourth time listening to this album.

75/100

Tim Tronckoe.