The Swedish one-man band Grim Colossus, a project of multi-instrumentalist Magnus Berglind, after an EP and a couple of singles, is back with their debut album. Titled “Descent Into Madness,” it was released on June 21, 2024 and contains 7 tracks between 2 and 6 minutes long. The opener “Dreamworld” is a track with dark, shadowy sounds, characterised by a slow-moving rhythm. The drumming is granitic and the bass lines deep, the hard guitar riffs follow the slow pace of the rhythm, while the vocals are incisive and penetrating. The guitar solo cue in the finale is interesting. A distorted, scratchy guitar riff opens “Insomnolence,” more aggressive and with a solid, faster rhythm than the previous track. The sound presents reminiscences of Epic Doom in a classic style, with an energetic and at times choral vocal, the artist skilfully bringing the clasic Doom sound of the 80s to the present day and re-proposing it with his own personal touch. After a short guitar solo in the second part and the vocal returning for the last verses, the track ends. There is no more accurate title to describe “Into The Tomb,” encapsulating within it a dark sound and lyrics, dirty riffs and slow but monolithic rhythm. The vocals offer alternating verses and choral parts, combining Doom Metal and atmospheres approaching Funeral. A song with dark themes, with guitars always at the centre of both riffs and short but incisive solo inserts. Continuing the dark atmospheres, “Descent Into Madness” opens with a slow rhythm section, a solemn vocal. The guitar riffs follow the slow and sombre pace of the song, offering consistently well constructed riffs and work. The tempo changes are an added bonus, allowing the central theme of the track to evolve and use the entire duration to envelop the listener and transport them ‘into madness.’ “Phantasmagoria” features a sombre opening guitar-only riff that evolves into an engaging riff and a gritty rhythm. Epic choruses repeat the song’s title, while the guitar offers an interesting solo as sharp as a knife blade. Alternating between heavy riffs and more accelerated passages to which guitar inserts are added, and the dynamic and expressive vocals, this is in my opinion a very interesting track. The album’s shortest track “Sconces of Fire” lasting two minutes offers another example of well-constructed riffs. A track with an ever-changing rhythm, alternating between more accelerated parts and epic openings with solemn refrains. The vocals are punchy in the verses and choral in the choruses. The album ends with “Paradise,” which returns to dark sounds and a slow rhythm, creating enveloping atmospheres with an incisive, piercing vocal. A good piece of work that combines the classic traits of Epic Doom with the artist’s personal and modern touch, which in the second part enters with a guitar solo and then concludes with the last vocal stanzas. A good album that confirms what was heard on the previous release, offering a mix of classic and modern Doom Metal sounds with an Epic touch. Slower and enveloping tracks intertwine with others that are more accelerated and engaging, exploring the different facets of the genre. The lyrics are sophisticated and the artist has a dynamic and expressive voice that is well suited to interpreting the various phases of the album. A recommended listen for all lovers of doom sounds, with dark themes, heavy riffs and a solid rhythm section.
Tracklist
01. Dreamworld (04:51)
02. Insomnolence (03:54)
03. Into The Tomb (05:04)
04. Descent Into Madness (05:59)
05. Phantasmagoria (04:00)
06. Sconces of Fire (02:20)
07. Paradise (05:02)
Lineup
Magnus Berglind / Everything
