Epic Doomy Battle Metal?

nightsblood · Post by **nightsblood** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:28 pm

I'm not really sure what to call this particular genre, but I really like bands such as Atlantean Kodex, Isen Torr, and Solstice, especially 'New Dark Age' ('Lamenttions' is great too but IMO it has a more traditional doom metal sound like early Solitude Aeturnus). They all develop an epic sound with mostly slow-medium tempo songs, clean/clear sounding vocals, and often play up the 'days of yore' vibe, but without using cheesy fantasy themes (like so many power metal bands) or generic viking themes (another over-used device in metal today).
What other bands play this particular style?

MassOfKthulu · Post by **MassOfKthulu** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:55 pm

I dont think anyone else used the 'celtic' scales the way Rich did on NDA.
That release is quite unique.and it is a blatant influence on AT C. also.I think it's pretty much alone where it stands,a tad/lot (depending on the song) more folkish than normal epic doom like sorcerer or memory garden yet staying clear from 'folk metal' delusions,which rarely stand for anything more than dodgy 'oktoberfest metal' bands aka Wacken cannonfodder..
Therefore i am at a loss.anyone?

doomedplanet · Post by **doomedplanet** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:08 pm

Doomsword? Mirror of Deception "Foregone"(I could be wrong on that, some years since I listened to it, maybe more melancholic than battle)?

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:02 pm

doomedplanet wrote:Doomsword?

The first band i thought when i read this thread.

MassOfKthulu · Post by **MassOfKthulu** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:07 pm

i think doomsword leans a bit towards what nightblood calls generic viking themes,plus it's a bit too much on the bathory side musically,no relation whatsoever to solstice etc...to my ears anyway

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:17 pm

Yeah, no relation to the SOLSTICE sound for sure. I'm not sure if nightsblood means something closer to SOLSTICE or ATLANTEAN KODEX, but DOOMSWORD fit the description ''Epic doomy battle metal'' as well. Don't know if their lyrics sound generic to some ears, when the debut came out ten years ago there were not many epic doom bands using viking themes in their lyrics.

nightsblood · Post by **nightsblood** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:18 pm

I'm not familiar with Doomsword, might be worth checking out.
Agreed that NDA is quite unique; 'The Pnakotic Demos' is the only thing I've heard that comes close. Isen Torr achieve a similar effect but in a different manner.

King Zombie · Post by **King Zombie** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:19 pm

Made by fat 12th level paladins XD

Moonchild · Post by **Moonchild** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:05 am

Check out Ereb Altor and Scald (Rus). They should be to your liking.

great_knuthulhu · Post by **great_knuthulhu** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:20 am

MassOfKthulu wrote:I dont think anyone else used the 'celtic' scales the way Rich did on NDA.
That release is quite unique.and it is a blatant influence on AT C. also.I think it's pretty much alone where it stands,a tad/lot (depending on the song) more folkish than normal epic doom like sorcerer or memory garden yet staying clear from 'folk metal' delusions,which rarely stand for anything more than dodgy 'oktoberfest metal' bands aka Wacken cannonfodder..
Therefore i am at a loss.anyone?

I think NDA could easily be labeled "folk metal" - after all, the folk influences are pretty clear throughout it. However, what separates it from almost all other bands playing that kind of thing is, it's actually great. One of my favorite records of all time actually.

Scald is a great call for me as well, but since nightsblood does not mention Bathory, I think he might have a different sound in mind(?). The Scald album is pretty influenced by Bathory, at least that's what it sounds like to me.

Desolator · Post by **Desolator** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 4:34 pm

Wolfram from Czech Republic could fit the bill. I'm digging the hell out of their debut SÁL ČASU. Female vocals (but not very typical sounding I think)!

Odmítám (sample):
http://hippo.feld.cvut.cz/metal/wolfram ... aluk02.mp3

mordred · Post by **mordred** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 2:18 pm

You can not go wrong with Doomsword, check out the Resound the Horn album.

Sgt. Kuntz · Post by **Sgt. Kuntz** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:39 am

Ereb Altor have been mentioned, but also the German band Crom with their album "Vengeance" is great, but they haven't many Doom elements.

And "Conqueror" from The Gates of Slumber is my Doom Epic Metal album of the year (2008). A fantastic piece of metal!

Do you know Etrusgrave "Masters Of Fate"? I think they also fit into your specification.

nightsblood · Post by **nightsblood** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 2:30 pm

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll keep them in mind. Ereb Altor is pretty good but IMO it definitely moves into the Bathory 'Hammerheart' style, which I like, but it's not what I'm looking for in this case. TGoS 'Conqueror' is closer. I found some Doomsword tracks to preview, and will keep an eye out for the other bands mentioned.

Moonchild · Post by **Moonchild** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:59 pm

Try looking into Mael Mórdha. They're from Ireland and a lot of their music revolves around ancient Irish battles.