I bet many of you know the story of Moby Dick that traumatized Ahab and eversince Ahab swore to lead this whale to its doom for all the suffering it caused him, yet the only doom that was lurking was his own and his men that followed him in this dreadful journey in the shadows of the sea, to finally find themselves in the depths of the ocean, in oblivion. But how would it seem to you if a funeral doom metal band covered musically and lyrically this story? I believe it would seem obscure to most of you, but not until you listen to Ahab's debut album, "The Call Of The Wretched Sea". All the answers lie in there and all the signs lead to only one conclusion, this German trio knows how to create overwhelming funeral doom that will strike you down to the lowest parts of the sea.
Have you ever sat in your back yard at night staring up at the stars when you suddenly come to the unfortunate realization that your life is completely pitiful and insignificant? What? You haven't? Then I assume you have never heard this album!
Funeral doom... that's that really boring genre with no face-melting solos and the guitars going too slow, right? Wrong! The name of the game here is atmosphere, and never have I heard a band set up such a perfect atmosphere. Being a man who generally appreciates ferocious riffs above anything else, the word "atmospheric" generally doesn't attract me to an album, but after hearing "The Call Of The Wretched Sea" my eyes were opened to a whole new power some music can have. The tranquil, yet ominous, grandiose guitar leads, interspersed with the occasional heavy chugging "heave-ho!" type rhythm based sections would have made a great instrumental album on its own, but it doesn't end there. Laced in between the fantastic guitar work is some grotesque (albeit fairly unremarkable) growls, and some Gregorian-chant like clean vocals, that both really do justice to the type of scenes they are trying to portray. Now lets not forget the drumming! Though it usually plays its part effectively, yet fairly predictably - slow and thundering, occasionally you'll hear some great speed put into the drum work, while managing to maintain the tempo at a crushingly depressing crawl.
Probably one of the most accessible Funeral Doom albums out there that somehow manages to lose none of it's crushing power. Very highly recommended, especially if you're not already familiar with the genre. Perfect mix between melody and extremity.
Probably one of the most accessible Funeral Doom albums out there that somehow manages to lose none of it's crushing power. Very highly recommended, especially if you're not already familiar with the genre. Perfect mix between melody and extremity.
Agreed. Doom is definitely not my top genre pick, but...well, I think my review for it says it all.
---- "I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck."
- George Carlin
Surprisingly, I think that doom in general is a very demanding genre. You have very little means to keep listeners' attention. You can't flood them with solos, millions of riffs etc. It takes immense talent to create something truly riveting and engaging. Ahab excelts at that on both albums.
Easily among of 10 best doom bands that have ever graced the face of the earth.
Surprisingly, I think that doom in general is a very demanding genre. You have very little means to keep listeners' attention. You can't flood them with solos, millions of riffs etc. It takes immense talent to create something truly riveting and engaging. Ahab excelts at that on both albums.
Easily among of 10 best doom bands that have ever graced the face of the earth.
"The Hunt" - this song haunts me continuously for several days. I hear it everywhere - in the shop, in the cinema, while a lecture, in a toilet.. Am I going to crazy or is this music simply outstanding? Or maybe a both..
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11.09.2013 - 12:06
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Beautifully crushing. That riff from Below The Sun just haunts me.
And also reminds me of this for some reason. I suppose it's fitting, considering it's also the music to an underwater cave called the Shoal Cave.
I think it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call this album one of the jewels of funeral doom metal. At least, it is exactly that in my eyes. The atmosphere of doom permeates me with every passing second on this long musical journey.
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"And we are not who we think we are
We are who we're afraid to be"
- Lux Occulta "The Opening of Eleventh Sephirah"
Beautifully crushing. That riff from Below The Sun just haunts me.
And also reminds me of this for some reason. I suppose it's fitting, considering it's also the music to an underwater cave called the Shoal Cave.
Drown.
Wow, in hindsight I should had the volume more often when I played Pokémon That melody is amazing.
As for the album, crushing is the perfect descriptor to use. Also, I find this album really easy to work to for some reason. It's a shame that the follow-up didn't match the dense atmosphere created here.
Wow, in hindsight I should had the volume more often when I played Pokémon That melody is amazing.
Indeed it is. It's a naturally haunting theme but it also has a mournful tone to it. I absolutely love the music in Pokemon, especially from Generation 4.
I've never tried the second album, actually. Or The Giant. But now that the new one's out, I'm definitely gonna try that at one point.
Wow, in hindsight I should had the volume more often when I played Pokémon That melody is amazing.
Indeed it is. It's a naturally haunting theme but it also has a mournful tone to it. I absolutely love the music in Pokemon, especially from Generation 4.
I've never tried the second album, actually. Or The Giant. But now that the new one's out, I'm definitely gonna try that at one point.
I've only heard the first two... Even though I own The Giant. I just keep forgetting to listen to it hahahah. I woul disagree with Kiwi regarding their sophomore album though. It's great. It plays a different atmosphere, far more melancolic and less intimidating which is specially notorious due to the clean vocals used. I thought the production was good as well. Not crushing though, but then again... That was not the point to begin with. Redemption Lost is one of my favorite Ahab songs.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49 Rod, let me love you.
Indeed it is. It's a naturally haunting theme but it also has a mournful tone to it. I absolutely love the music in Pokemon, especially from Generation 4.
I've never tried the second album, actually. Or The Giant. But now that the new one's out, I'm definitely gonna try that at one point.
Perhaps one day I'll go back and replay all those games again
Hope you enjoy the albums, but if you really liked this one and the most recent one I don't think you will
Hope you enjoy the albums, but if you really liked this one and the most recent one I don't think you will
Depends on who you ask because I really like the second and I know BitterCold (specially after reading his reviews), Marcel and Daniel enjoy them as well.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49 Rod, let me love you.
True that! I just thought that TDoO could have greatly benefited from a more layers and denser production, as with this album. It just felt a bit...empty at times
Can't wait to see them play this live at Roadburn. I'd be happy just to see Ahab live, but the fact that they're playing this whole album makes me so much more excited.
Can anyone recommend other funeral doom albums that are eerie and crushing like this?
Oceanus by Fungoid Stream is a personally favorite of mine in this style. Not as heavy but similarly eerie and really weird. BitterCOld described it best on his list: "If Ahab drags you down, this is the bottom of the sea."
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"Change the world. My final message. Goodbye."
~Last words of Harambe, seconds before he was shot, according to child he shielded from gunfire
Can anyone recommend other funeral doom albums that are eerie and crushing like this?
Oceanus by Fungoid Stream is a personally favorite of mine in this style. Not as heavy but similarly eerie and really weird. BitterCOld described it best on his list: "If Ahab drags you down, this is the bottom of the sea."
Written by F3ynman2000 on 06.12.2022 at 01:07 Can anyone recommend other funeral doom albums that are eerie and crushing like this?
Catacombs: Sound-wise this is pretty close to Ahab's debut but more hypnotic with its leads. Probably the ultimate Lovecraft Funeral Doom album if you ask me.
I have other recs in mind that go under then tag "eerie and crushing" but their style of funeral doom is different. I can give them to you anyway if you are interested.
But first check out the ones the others have recommended (I love both Tyranny and Fungoid Stream) as well as Catacombs.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49 Rod, let me love you.