Loather – Eis
Release Date: 23rd June 2023
Label: Vendetta Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Blackened Doom Metal
FFO: Gggolddd, Ultha, Wiegedood, Windhand.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Eis is the debut album from Austrian Blackened Doomsters, Loather, and it follows 4 years on from the last of their 2 previous EP’s. Obviously, in case you are unaware, we had a wee bit of a pandemic and so the 4-year gap is perhaps also obvious. But the fact is, these 4 years have allowed Loather to hone their line-up and craft their debut full-length with all the care and attention it deserves, and the result is entrancing.
Described as ‘blackened narcotic metal’, I won’t be using that term, Eis begins with ‘Ephemeral’, and if you didn’t know any better, you would think they were another modern Black Metal band. But they are much more than that as the rather excellent, ‘Holler Your Name’, sees Loather veer into a Doomier territory, still maintaining a subtle hint of the black metal from the opener. As the end of the track eases towards its conclusion, you can see why they have toured with the likes of Windhand. For want of a better word, it is quite, well, beautiful.
The next track, ‘Mortuary’ continues the gentle ease when it begins before an urgent riff slaps you back into metal mode. Full of blackened metal screams and ethereal Doom vocals, you begin to hope that you might be listening to something a little bit special. Truth be told, both the previous track and this are akin to getting a gut punch and then, as you are doubled over in pleasure, getting a magnificent knee into your face!
From here, the remaining 3 tracks can almost do no wrong. Title track, ‘Eis’ (Ice to those who cannot speak German), slows the album, lacking any real spark, but maintaining a sense of atmosphere created by the previous tracks and the last of the 5 minutes and 8 seconds fades away, you know that it was merely a palate cleanser.
And you would be correct! Penultimate track, ‘Lost Sight’ speeds things up a bit, sliding more towards the blacker sound of the band before it morphs into introspective doom before firing back up into blackened metal territory again. In essence, ‘Lost Sight’ epitomises Eis. The track incorporates all aspects of the album into its 8-minute plus run time, and it is all the better for it.
Then, sadly, the final track is upon you, and you realise that you will have been almost hypnotised for 38 minutes or so. ‘Proper Burial’ ends Eis with aplomb. Again, it merges genres with the care and respect deserved. Slow to start, it builds until the vented fury is released before slight feedback announces the end.
Loather have announced themselves with a debut full-length album that is full of riffs, full of atmosphere, full of confidence and, more importantly, full of good songs.
(4.5 / 5)
