Band:	Scald
Album:	Ancient Doom Metal
Style:	Epic doom metal
Release date:	July 26, 2024
A review by:	nikarg

01. Ancient Doom Metal
02. Young God Resurrected
03. Master Of The Lake
04. Far Northern Corner
05. ALU (My Protection)
06. The Liberating Spells Of Fire
07. The Enemy Among Us [bonus]

If your debut is one of the greatest epic doom metal albums of all time, how on earth do you follow it up 27 years later? And on top of that, how do you replace an iconic vocalist?

Scald formed in Yaroslavl, Russia, in the mid-90s and put out a rough demo, called North Winds, in 1994, but it was their 1997 tape, Will Of Gods Is A Great Power, that gave them the cult status they have. Sadly, their charismatic singer, Agyl, died in a train crash on the day of this review’s publication, exactly 27 years ago. Tragedy occurred just before the album’s release, so the band was finished before they had even started.

Following a unique live performance at the Hammer Of Doom festival in 2019, both a brand new 7-inch single, titled There Flies Our Wail! and a re-release of the debut album came on High Roller Records in 2021. The new song was a triumphant return, and now they have an unexpected new studio album, aptly named Ancient Doom Metal. It features the original line-up of Velingor (bass), Harald (guitars), Karry (guitars), and Ottar (drums and percussion), while Felipe Plaza Kutzbach of Procession and Capilla Ardiente fame is the band’s new vocalist.

While listening to Ancient Doom Metal, the profound spiritual bond between Will Of Gods Is A Great Power and its delayed successor is evident. The atmosphere is similar, evoking ancient Scandinavia and Russia, with the musical and lyrical foundations of both albums being rooted in the mythology and mysticism of these regions. The band members’ musical proficiency has undeniably evolved since the ‘90s, but the love for the epic and the doom has remained intact and feels authentic. Tracks like “Ancient Doom Metal”, “ALU (My Protection)”, and “Master Of The Lake”, with its distinctive folk allure, are very fine specimens of the genre. At the same time, Felipe is doing his best to succeed Agyl, and even reminds of him when he hits the high notes, particularly on “Young God Resurrected”.

Whatever expectations one may have had from such a comeback album, it is inevitable, albeit a little unfair, to compare it with the one that came before it. I have already explained in detail how much I adore the band's debut, and I believe that the romantic amateurism, the imperfect but unique voice of Agyl (the same material sung by a different person is another album), and the enthralling atmosphere are all impossible to replicate. On the plus side, it’s very important that the band is continuing with four of its original members, and Felipe is a superb choice to front Scald, so the end result does feel like what Scald should sound in 2024.

Ancient Doom Metal has successfully captured and conveyed the essence of the band as we remembered them. They still sound like the perfect cross between Viking-era Bathory, early Candlemass, and early Manowar, and they still make primitive and passionate doom metal. Sure, the production is modern and Felipe is not Agyl’s clone, but he really doesn’t have to be; his voice has a uniqueness of its own. For all intents and purposes, the colossal riffs are there, the mournful leads are there, the breathtaking solos are there, and the songs are totally worthy of bearing the Scald signature. The spirit of Agyl lives on.

R.I.P. Maxim ‘Agyl’ Andrianov (17/10/1972 - 06/09/1997)

“Let this song of mine celebrate the high one
Let these melodies unfold, as we praise the oldest king
And take this song of mine, echoes of a distant past
A legacy remains of the guardian of these shores”