For 25 years, Gravewurm have been carrying the banner for their particularly acerbic brand of American black metal deep into the hellish heart of winter, but there are a few things that make their 11th release noteworthy. Appearing in the world on Christmas Day like something dark slouching towards Bethlehem, Doomed To Eternity marks not only their quarter-century of evil-doing, but the last recording with drummer (and co-writer) Jim Konya, who passed away due to a stroke in October.
Konya is the blackened heart beating at the centre of all of these tracks, propelling them forward into the abyss. From the wraith-like, rasping vocals to the acid-burn guitar tone, this is exactly what you would expect from a piece of Venom-inspired old-school black metal. The exception to this is standout track "The Wolves of Isengard," which takes on a slower, more menacing and harrowing pace, with an almost doom-like lugubriousness. For what it lacks in surprises, Doomed To Eternity makes up for in familiar viciousness, making the holidays a little darker in the process.
(Hells Headbangers)Konya is the blackened heart beating at the centre of all of these tracks, propelling them forward into the abyss. From the wraith-like, rasping vocals to the acid-burn guitar tone, this is exactly what you would expect from a piece of Venom-inspired old-school black metal. The exception to this is standout track "The Wolves of Isengard," which takes on a slower, more menacing and harrowing pace, with an almost doom-like lugubriousness. For what it lacks in surprises, Doomed To Eternity makes up for in familiar viciousness, making the holidays a little darker in the process.