GOTHIC STONE – Haereticus Empyreum

GOTHIC STONE – Haereticus Empyreum
Label(s):
Black Widow Records
Released Year:
2019
Type:
Full-length
Tracklist:
1. 1. Dies Irae2. 2. Caereris Mundus (The Necromancer)3. 3. The Time Lord4. 4. The Oath of the Gothic Stone5. 5. Luciferian Dawn6. 6. Sidereus Nuncius

Gothic Stone“, does this ring any bells? Well if you are familiar with early CANDLEMASS, Doom Metal or Metal in general it should. It is the introductory track in “Nightfall” album, one of the milestones of Epic Doom Metal. And in case you were wondering yes GOTHIC STONE is an Epic Doom metal band.

Hailing from Palermo, Italy, GOTHIC STONE have been around for quite some time, yet this is their debut album. Actually it took them 25 years (!) to release it… Well as I mentioned before the band deeply dwells into Doom Metal but with a twist: the songs are not only inspired by Rainbow / late Black Sabbath, but also from Italian Doom Metal acts.

Italians always have a very distinctive vibe. Movies, comics, music, you can spot it everywhere. Therefore GOTHIC STONE draw influences from bands like BLACK HOLE, GOBLIN and DARK QUARTERER and combine them next to RAINBOW, MANOWAR, BLACK SABBATH (“Born again” / “Headless Cross” era), CANDLEMASS of course, SORCERER, SOLITUDE AETURNUS etc in order to create a very unique piece of music.

The six tracks that compose “Hereticus Empyreum” are the perfect soundtrack for a nightmarish journey into the medieval darkness. Most compositions are slow, gracious with a outlandish notoriety as if they were invocations of some sorcerer. Do not expect low tuning, sludgy riffs and the detestable stoner atmosphere. This album lives and breathes Metal in its purest form: It is menacing, grandiose and powerful but also otherworldly and lyrical. It reminded me of the long gone years when the underground scene was struggling for music like this and believe me songs like “Caereris Mundus (The Necromancer)” or “The oath of the Gothic Stone” will not be unnoticed.

The guitar work is magnificent especially in the lead guitar -hail to Salvatore Fallucca and Vincenzo Mandarano-, the ever obscure keyboards and the production is heavy with a vintage feeling. As with the vocals Gabrielle Grilly, the one and only Nightcomer, the man who sung in DOOMSWORD’s first album is here to deliver another chilling performance with his dramatic voice. His elegiac call carry the listener to a dreamy mournful journey toward the unknown.

GOTHIC STONE have created a flawless work of art. Do not consider it just another album in a saturated market, do not miss it and do not underestimate it. It is a future classic, an already cult album deriving from people who have proven their loyalty to the underground.

 

 

 

Previous article CRYSTAL VIPER – Tales Of Fire And Ice
Next article MICHAEL BORMANN'S JADED HARD – Feels Like Yesterday
While he struggles between trash and elaborate culture, Zippo, finds himself dwelling into the deepest and most notorious Heavy Metal paths. Or at least that is what he thinks…
Forgotten Scroll Fanzing Issue #6

Issue #6 Out Now

76 pages, 10 interviews. DAMASCUS (US) SANCTUM (US) HORIZON'S END (GR) LORD OF LIGHT (SWE) ETERNAL CHAMPION (US) GOTHIC STONE (IT) LEVIATHAN (US) NEAR INFINITY (US) ANGEL EDGE (US) OBLIVION KNIGHT (US) plus LEGIONED MARCHER (US)...

Follow Us

1,346FansLike
21FollowersFollow

NOVA SKELLIS – Life Amongst The Damned (Vinyl Reissue 2024)

What we deal with in NOVA SKELLIS’ case, is the chance of exploring the transcontinental fusion of almost any kind of heavy/power metal blend;...

WARLORD: The legend of William J Tsamis lives – Interview and...

To tell you the truth I was a little bit skeptical when I first learned about the Warlord tribute project set by drummer and founding member Mark Zonder and singer Giles Lavery to honor the music and memory of founder guitarist William J Tsamis who unfortunately passed away back in 2021. I was looking at the facts very closely, reading announcements about forthcoming live shows, new line up and a new album. The response from the fans was massive including both positive and negative (or very negative) comments about the above facts. "How can Warlord exist without Bill Tsamis?", they were asking. One afternoon I got a call from Giles Lavery himself asking me if I wanted to do an advance review of the forthcoming Warlord album. I replied positively still being in this skeptical mood. It all went away after the first listen... William J Tsamis was there. His music, his legend, his compositions, evolved into complete songs. In total excitement I texted Giles a single message "Bill is alive". The very next evening found Mark, Giles and I talking about the album, about Bill, about the music and the legacy. It was late at night when we ended the call. I asked them if I can publish our conversation and they got no problem. So here it is again: Me talking with Warlord. The usual stuff I am doing the last 25 years for various reasons. But this time I would not call this conversation an interview. To my eyes this is a big ethical, artistic and soulful statement, by some people who want to keep the Dream, alive.