Altareth is an interesting quintet from Gothenburg, Sweden, that plays granitic Doom Metal with punchy riffs and dynamic vocals. Last summer, the band recorded the 7 tracks that make up “Passage – The Welfare Sessions,” released on November 16, 2024, captured live without the addition of extras, except for some keyboard inserts. The title track “Passage” opens the album, immediately immersing us in the band’s gloomy and enveloping musical atmosphere. Distorted guitar riffs drive the sound, with a pachydermic rhythm section, enriched by a deep, load-bearing bass. Clean vocals add insecurity to the sound, giving it a Heavy Psych feel and intertwining with instrumental sections where the band brings out its heavier, Doom side. Heavy, dark riffs characterise “Archetypes,” with a killer bassline driving the rhythm section and solid, elaborate drumming. Interesting melodic acoustic guitar inserts counterbalance the massive, pachydermic sounds that characterise the track. The vocal continues in the style of the previous one with that enveloping Heavy Psych touch, while the keyboards in the background add a dreamy touch. Then with a fine guitar solo cue, this excellent piece concludes. We return to dark, piercing sounds and atmospheres with “The Stars,” with intertwining guitar and bass work and abundant use of distortion. A Heavy, dark sound that develops into a musical crescendo driven by the vocal, incisive and penetrating, resulting in a doom metal track with fine guitar textures in the middle section. Well-constructed and engaging riffs follow one another until the finale. We are halfway through the abum with “Singapore,” five minutes of psychedelic doom with heavy, gloomy guitar riffs opening, alternating with verses with dreamy vocals. Interesting and successful blend of the two genres, with a fine vocal test. The rhythm section is solid and full of tempos that allow them to range between genres, increasing the intensity and offering stylistic solutions that highlight the guitar in the central instrumental section. The album’s shortest track “Pilgrim” shows a softer side of the band, offering an intense and emotional heavy psych track. The vocals are an added value to the sound, interpreting the lyrics with intensity, the guitar riffs are well constructed and the rhythm section is solid and softer than the previous ones. A solid Psychedelic Rock track with Heavy traits and good lead guitar inserts that intertwine with the vocal parts. It continues to explore more psychedelic sounds in “Nico,” an elaborate track that enhances the band’s songwriting. An emotional track developed with a warm and expressive vocal and the sound developed with intensity that increases as the minutes go by. In the second part, the band develops an instrumental section with fine guitar work before returning to the vocals and concluding. The album ends with “Recluse,” the longest track, exceeding six minutes in length. It returns to a darker, doom-soaked sound, with heavy guitar riffs, deep bass lines and gritty drumming. The atmospheres are Doom Metal, with a powerful rhythm section moving slowly, distorted guitars weaving in riffs and inserts. The vocals are intense and incisive, alternating with sophisticated instrumental parts that end the song by incorporating keyboards and creating very delicate dreamy atmospheres. A good album, which enhances the band’s ideas and performing technique, through 7 intense tracks between Doom and Heavy Psychedelia. Well constructed riffs and fine lead guitar inserts, the rhythm section is solid and elaborate and the clean vocals add a Psychedelic touch to the sound. A recommended listen for all lovers of Doom Metal and Heavy Psych sounds, which confirms that this band is one of the most interesting realities of the Scandinavian Heavy scene.
Tracklist
01. Passage (03:57)
02. Archetypes (04:53)
03. The Stars (04:31)
04. Singapore (05:08)
05. Pilgrim (03:19)
06. Nico (05:33)
07. Recluse (06:24)
Lineup
Patrik Strömberg / Vocals
Niklas Sörum / Guitar
Sven Lindqvist / Guitar
Mats Lindgren / Bass
Vigfus Valgeirsson / Drums
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