Band:	Daevar
Album:	Delirious Rites
Style:	Stoner doom metal, Stoner metal
Release date:	January 27, 2023
A review by:	F3ynman

01. Slowshine
02. Bloody Fingers
03. Leila
04. Leviathan
05. Yellow Queen

Daevar's debut album represents the epitome of stoner doom — with all its merits and limitations.

I love when contrasts play a prominent role in music: the mix of elegantly sung vocals and punishing, noisome cries on Acid Bath's debut; the inclusion of the calm, thoughtful track "Collapse" in the midst of abrasive thrash on Vektor's Terminal Redux; the resonant growls battling the sweet guitar melodies on Dan Swanö's Moontower — in all of these examples, the dichotomy provides added value to each opposing element. And that's why Daevar's debut album also works so well. The beautiful, haunting female vocal performance would by itself be initially impressive, but might over time become monotonous. The same is true for the fuzzy stoner guitar riffs. They make for a pleasing hook, but would drag on and on as time progressed. However, when these two elements unite, the true dark magic takes shape.

Daevar are a brand-new stoner doom band hailing from home sweet Germany. While the record label seemed to be ambiguous about whether one can call Delirious Rites an EP or an LP, the fact is that we have five tracks summing up to 32 minutes of highly enjoyable music. Of course, it must be addressed that Daevar fall victim to the common criticism of all stoner doom bands: the issue of originality. Ever since Black Sabbath laid down the formula with Master Of Reality, there's only so much heavier and fuzzier you can go. Good stoner doom always sounds very pleasing, but there aren't many opportunities to innovate within the boundaries of the genre. Daevar do make some progressive steps by introducing a prominent frontwoman in stoner metal — a genre that has greatly lacked female voices (with the exception of Windhand), unlike gothic and power metal. But other than this element, the German three-piece ignore trying to pursue any break with tradition and rather focus on nailing their performance and songwriting skills. And man, do they nail it.

After all, most fans of this style don't want every band turning into a prog act. They simply want music that'll give them a good time. And that's where Daevar excel. There's the psychedelic, droning atmosphere akin to Sleep and catchy riffs you just can't help bob your head along to. The vocal performance is stellar, perfectly balancing the oppressive guitar-work with sweet, spectral lamentations. A surprising change in vocals appears at the end of the 10-minute-long "Leviathan", where the vocalist of fellow German stoner band Grin provides some impressively vicious accompanying growls:

"Fall free
Into your misery"

Each song sticks to its own singular riff in classic repetitive stoner style. Still, I must admit, the riffs are so simple yet effective that I don't mind the one-dimensionality at all. The music never becomes boring thanks to the aforementioned juxtaposition of the eerie, mesmerizing female vocals. Overall, I'd say the highlight here is the ominously lumbering "Leviathan", along with the two catchy singles "Leila" and "Yellow Queen" — but, really, you can't go wrong with picking any of these five tracks.

In conclusion, Daevar deliver a stoner doom performance of the highest quality. Give Delirious Rites a spin, and you'll find simple yet damn entertaining metal that's guaranteed to give you a good time.