REVIEW: DISTORTED REFLECTION - Doom Rules Eternally (A 2nd opinion)

 

DISTORTED REFLECTION - Doom Rules Eternally

Iron Shield Records

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DISTORTED REFLECTION is the brainchild of Kostas Salomidis, known as the guitarist for Sorrows Path and a prominent figure in the metal music scene, and Vangelis Yalamas, the bassist for Fragile Vastness and a respected producer within the Greek metal community. With the addition of Stelios Pavlou, known for his drumming with Bob Katsionis, Pathian Shot, The Silent Rage, Verbal Delirium, Sorrowful Angels, and Rhodium, the lineup is solidified, promising an exciting musical journey.

I first heard about this album approximately a year ago when Kostas left Sorrows Path. Upon discovering his partnership with Vangelis, a long-time producer for Sorrows Path, I anticipated something reminiscent of their previous work. While there are similarities, "Doom Rules Eternally" offers a plethora of quality and a diverse range of heavy metal music options.

The opening track, featuring guest vocals from Nicholas Leptos of Arrayan Path, immediately captivated me with its melodic charm, reminiscent of Veni Domine but with a more epic metal approach. It stands out as the highlight of the album; Mr. Snake cheers me up!

Each of the nine tracks is a delight for both doom metal and epic metal enthusiasts. The production is top-notch, with excellent engineering and mixing reminiscent of the grand sounds of the '90s era. This level of quality is particularly impressive for a debut album. It's evident that the band has a clear vision for their sound, incorporating elements of prog metal that will undoubtedly please fans of the genre.

Turning to the technical aspects, aside from Leptos' stellar vocals on the opening track, "Doom Rules Eternally" features two more notable guests. The legendary Ross the Boss contributes his signature tight and powerful guitar work, while Giannis Drolapas delivers a mesmerizing guitar solo on the final track, infused with elements of prog rock and arabesque flavor. It's truly a remarkable piece of music that leaves me in awe with each listen.

In summary, "Doom Rules Eternally" offers a solid metal experience with plenty to offer and even more to anticipate in the future. Whether you're a fan of doom, epic, or prog metal, this album is a worthy addition to your collection. (Physical release available on compact disc for the time being.)

Theodosis Miras