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Encyclopaedia Metallum - Review - S.o.M. Etno doom |
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Recenzija demo CD-a S.o.M. - Etno doom /  Review of demo CD S.o.M. - Etno doom "... One of the most fascinating demos I have heard in a while. Highly recommended! ..."
| Reviews for S.o.M.'s Etno Doom |
| One facet makes the difference … period! - 80% | Written by oneyoudontknow on May 15th, 2008
| S.o.M., as they are added in the Metal Archives, is an abbreviation for Sons of Medjimurje, which was used by the band in their early days, and refers to a northern part of Croatia and the ethno music this region is famous for. To combine this particular style of sound with the elements of Doom Metal is what this band tries to achieve and on their first demo a glimpse of the potential of this eclecticism is offered.
Not only does the music from S.o.M. shed light on the Croatian folk scene, but also are all lyrics in the band’s native language. This separates them from the majority of the metal scene, but makes them on the other hand special, due the exotic status this tongue currently has. It has been widely recognized that French goes well with Black Metal and on Etno Doom had the neglect of the lingua franca of the music scene also no negative effect; rather the contrary. As the main focus lies on the vocals, the use of language as well as lyrics becomes important. A duet of Lea and a growling voice can be listened to on Grad se beli and Mura, Mura, clean male vocals join her on Sirota Sam and she dominates over a male voice on Vuprem oèi. Being an important factor in the compositions of S.o.M., the instruments leave the vocalists enough room to unfold their potential and rarely do the vocals have to challenge the guitars for dominance; it is often the case that they, most of the guitars except for the bass, are spared out of these parts entirely.
Accordingly is some kind of separation of styles in the music apparent; with and without vocals. The former consists of slow played doom riffs, which are played by two guitars and offer some neat solo-elements; while the latter one reflects rather the basic concept that can be found on all tracks. Bass guitar and drums never vanish over the whole length of the demo and when the guitars leave for a moment, some acoustic one joins instead to attend the vocals. During this period of the music, on three songs a lot of repetition is revealed and perhaps the whole approach to compose the music might be perceived as too simplistic, but on the other hand would an emphasis of the instruments and a raise of complexity draw some attention away from the vocals. Especially these parts are hypnotic at best. They unfold the potential that lies in this band, as well as their short-comings at the same time; more of the latter later. In the moment the females vocals start the door to a dream world opens and the band lures the listener with each further note towards it. With an average length of over eight minutes, enough times is at their disposal to offer a trip into a dream-land.
All songs have something in common: the build-ups and lead-outs form a contrast to middle part of the song; especially in terms of the complexity and arrangements. Each of them start quite neat with an evolution of riffs and ideas and thus is the listener very well suited for the beginning of the vocals and the progression of the compositions. Except for the last one, with its present of the guitars over the whole length, all other three songs have some strong resemblance in which they have been arranged; a segmented approach to compose the songs, with a switching between vocal-parts and vocal-less ones, while the six-string guitars are mostly absent in the middle-part.
My point of criticism directs towards the songs are actually arranged and composed. They rely on the vocals of Lea and these are a main factor that drives the atmosphere and keeps it on a high level. Yet their presence goes hand in hand with a facet the band relies on in creating the music: calmness. Somehow the band tries to avoid any disturbance of the vocal performance and gives them therefore not only a major focus but also a dominating influence over how the music was actually composed. What may work on one album or maybe on even two, does not necessarily need to be an approach that must be followed in the future. In the current state the music desperately depends on the performance of Lea and her beautiful voice and S.o.M. should try to find the balance between the instruments and the vocals. There is some likeliness (or even danger) that the music becomes predictable.
This music is indeed fascinating and would S.o.M. be a more established band, I would have no worries in giving them a rating above ninety points, but in the current situation with only one demo so far, less has to satisfy their thirst for positive responses. Nevertheless they get an 80 points rating, for music that is nothing but beautiful. It can be reduced to the following: Lea, the vocalist of S.o.M., makes the difference… period!
One of the most fascinating demos I have heard in a while. Highly recommended!
Short:
Performance: folk influenced doom metal with female vocals
Production: quite good, but the bass drum respectively the bass could need more power.
Song-writing: oriented towards the vocals and therefore are long passages of vocals apparent
Positive: female vocals, atmosphere
Negative: songs and vocal line could offer more variation, balancing not always optimal.
Booklet: none, a professionally made inlay with the basic information on the release.
Length: four songs, 32:07 minutes in total. | (original) |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 15 November 2008 )
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