Pelata
This is easily one of the most grim Doom Metal releases I’ve ever had the morbid pleasure of experiencing. Hailing from Dartmoor, The Wounded Kings arrive from the black fog with tales of horror, suicide and occult headspace. Comparisons to Electric Wizard would not be too far off...nor to Witchcraft or early Cathedral. This is some dreary, oppressive stuff here.
Atmospherically, 'Embrace of the Narrow House' entrances you like a cold, empty mansion covered in dust and cobwebs. You don’t know what’s coming around the corner, and you don’t think you really want to...but you proceed anyway. In your explorations, you’ll find sinister melodies and frightfully heavy guitars. The reverb-soaked vocals serve more to haunt the music, and subsequently the listener, like a weary, tortured soul as they swirl in and out of the riffs. It’s like an aural spook house from start to finish. 'Master Of Witches' is a Psychedelic Doom masterpiece and 'Melanthos' creeps up behind you like a malicious entity. The acoustic 'Shroud Of Divine Will' sounds like the closing credit theme to some old, macabre, black and white horror film...amazing.
Overall, this is a highly recommended release. If you like your Doom splattered with Lovecraft-esque spirit, night terrors and mind-bending ambience, you can’t go wrong with The Wounded Kings. This one will leave a mark.