Reviews Wouter Roemers

UNTIL DEATH OVERTAKES ME
Symphony I : Deep Dark Red
Self financed

Insanity Reigns Supreme is probably one of the oldest Belgian doom-bands, the last months however the funeral genre is more alive than ever before. On their first Cdemo the Belgian formation Until Death Overtakes Me brings immensely slow funeral doom in terrifying Thergothon and Skepticism-style. This cd has no percussion or battery, but on a regular basis a brooding Tampini fades in and out of the eerie keyboard and synth layered sound, the distorted guitarlines are primitive but fit well in the gloomy atmosphere. Stijn’s vocals sound very deep and guttural which perfectly suit the depressive lyrical content. The artwork is simple but yet very effective. Mourners and dark souls have with this underground release certainly something to enjoy. This is very extreme in the slow sense. Trendkilling funeral doom that is meant for open-minded metalheads and die-hard fans of the genre only. Very good first demo release from this young band!


UNTIL DEATH OVERTAKES ME
Symphony II : Absence Of Life
Self financed

Just a few months after releasing ‘Symphony I’ Until Death Overtakes Me already returns with a new Cdemo presenting us 4 tracks of funeral doom that all easily clock around 10 minutes or longer each. The recording sound is already much better on this release, keyboards are again omnipresent while the distorted guitar is placed a bit in the background. Lyrics are exactly as we expect them to be: dark, depressive and gloomy. At times an acoustic guitar creates a sense of hope, but it fades in just to fade out again. The tracks all are very, very, very slow (which is certainly a positive aspect) - they still don’t reach above 15 beats per minute, this gives the whole a dreamy, wave-like feel that fits perfectly into a funeral procession. This is not for trendy ears, but nevertheless a top notch demo release from the obscure depths of Belgium! Once again: very impressive.


Reviews by Wouter Roemers - www.deathmetal.be