ALBUM REVIEW: Khemmis – Desolation

Below is my review of the new album “Desolation” by Doom Metallers Khemmis, a band I am totally new to once again!

1. Bloodletting kicks in the album with heavy chords and beautiful lead guitar work. The drums are simplistic but the atmosphere is really uplifting for Doom Metal and sounds really amazing. The vocals sound so powerful and there is an almost Power Metal vibe which is a really strange thing to find in Doom Metal, something I am new to. The song itself overall is really powerful and gorgeous to listen to, with tons of great musicianship and singing. The lyrics are depressive but also on the contrary very pleasant to listen to and be immersed in. An absolutely glorious and epic opening song.
2. Isolation follows with more upbeat more classic Metal vibes and stellar lead guitar work. Continuing from “Bloodletting” amazingly with a more galloping rhythm and stunning vocals. The overall atmosphere is sombre and melancholic. It is incredibly melodic and well performed and a stunning listen.
3. Flesh To Nothing brings round more slow tempos and an absolutely beautiful atmosphere. The simpler riffs sound more suited to the music they play and the production is absolutely glorious. The lead work certainly adds a lot to the sound and the interesting rhythms sound great. The frontman has such a great and unique voice and his lower singing sound perfect in harmony with the higher parts. The faster parts have a really cheerful feel to them and the whole song is generally really uplifting and chilled out to listen to. The more sombre second half is written excellently and feels like it has a real life force within it. The screams sound like they are from an Atmospheric Black Metal project and absolutely boost this song into overdrive, beautifully done and an interesting twist to the song, followed by an astoundingly melodic guitar solo.
4. The Seer brings things to a heavier and darker territory in sound. It feels more like a Doom Metal song than the others although isn’t as slow as one might expect. The riffs are so killer on this one and the sludginess is much more noticeable. With the really epic vocals it is much cleaner sounding than a lot of similar bands, something that so far has been really captivating about this release. Around the mid section we are given a really nice riff that is so catchy and reminds me of Pallbearer and similar bands, this song despite being heavier is certainly no less melodic than previous ones. The lyrics are really interesting to listen to which certainly, for me, adds a hell of a lot to a song. The ending of the song is more bleak and it is clear there has been so much thought and effort put into writing this music and perfecting the sounds.
5. Maw Of Time brings more heavy riffing and soaring lead guitar work that sounds beautiful. The song has a really groovy rhythm to it which sounds great. The more brutal style with growling and faster drums adds yet more diversity to the release and is followed up with a lovely bit of shredding on the guitar, this release seems to never run out of new surprises to be found in each unique song. The variation in the vocals adds so much atmosphere to the song and it really has a monolithic sound to it.
6. From Ruin is the final piece of this wonderful album. The ambient lead guitar introduction sets the mood perfectly, met with really heavy sounding rhythm and bass. The drums are really great but not in any way obnoxious or overbearing. The whole soundscape created is absolutely perfect. When the vocals come in they cascade over the mix so delicately and it sounds phenomenal. The clean guitar section completely caught me off guard and almost sounds like an indie track, the lyrics are stunning and there is just so much to love about this track. The heaviness drops back in and it sounds great as always. The intricacy of the lead guitars add some really powerful nuances over the rhythm sections which are in their own right really well written. The whole song is as with all the others full of diversity, amazing musicianship, great vocals and even though it is near 10 minutes in length never gets at all boring, tedious or repetitive which I must say I really admire.

The album has a stunning atmosphere, intricate and brilliant instrumentation and is topped of with some of the most beautiful vocals you will hear this year (alongside the new Amorphis album I must add). Amazing work, and an album that everyone should check out for sure! -9/10