Doom metal has its own sense of vibrancy and grandeur even though it isn’t for everyone. This genre is unique in every sense of the term when it comes to the music. The music isn’t just heavy but profound. Djinn and Miskatonic sure as hell come with profoundness in their music. The band’s newest offering ‘Even Gods Must Die’ means business- an album that has its priorities in place.
The album opens slowly with “I, Zombie” before taking off with strong magnificence. This 15 odd minute track is a track to dwell on. Even for a first timer, this is a great introductory song. This song just flows. The heavy instrumentals do apt justice to the impressive vocals. The singing adds to the majesty of this song. “Bones Of My Brothers” is a very memorable song. The first impressions of the song are solid and it is easy to just gel with this number. The melodic aspects of this song intensify with a nice guitar solo before the song switches back to a strong rhythmic focus. This song really is a haze with all the trance like feelings all over it.
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“Doombringer” is personal favourite off this album. This song is a sweet balance between doomy rhythmic sections and soft and subtle melodies that make doom just right. The organs add a lot more colour to the music in addition to what is already happening. The singing is so really clear, almost chant like and very likeable. The chorus is incredibly catchy on this. This by far stands out best on the album personally. “Frost And Steel” is quite the headbanger on this album. The other songs aren’t any less heavy. This song’s intensity is focused more towards the likes of any traditional headbanger’s likes. This song also incorporates a lot more pacey instrumental sections while maintaining the same singing/chanting styles so far. “Harvest Of Kings” goes returns the album to slower and doomier elements. The melancholic singing on this song shines bright on this number. This song probably has the best singing off the entire record. This is quite the sunset song. “Hangman’s Hope” carries on the same feel from the previous song. In parts, this song kind of reflects a lot of similarity from the first track. I suppose that is a fine way to end an album. No complaints in that regard.
‘Even Gods Must Die’ is a strong record and an important one as far as doom metal goes. Even in its seemingly simple parts, this album has some subtle complexities that make the record a tight one. This record is also really good to introduce first times to this interesting genre. This is certainly a mature record. The singing on this record is praiseworthy even by itself. The instrumental sections are top notch as far as doom is concerned. The bass work is damn good! While this record has a lot of positives, I wished that there was a lot more as far as production goes. The mix is pretty good. It does carry a lot of similarity like the band’s live sounds. But maybe if the drums and cymbals were better panned, it would have probably really opened up the mix and made the album sound a lot more richer. The album sounds a little suffocated despite actually sounding transparent. The rich sounds, noises, vocals, and beats aren’t done justice. Despite the clarity in the mix, many times it sounds like a wall of sound. Each to their own I suppose. All in all Djinn and Miskatonic have done a really good job.