Matalobos – Phantasmagoria: Hexed Lands
Release Date: 21st February 2025
Label: Concreto Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Melodic Death Doom
FFO: Consecration, The Drowning, Opeth.
Review By: Hillary Wisniewski
Hailing from Mexico, Matalobos has been bringing their blend of doom death metal to the people since 2014. They are back in action with their third release, Phantasmagoria: Hexed Lands, which sees these gents blending their love of metal with local folklore. According to the press release, the album “…is a conceptual work that delves into dark folklore and haunted landscapes. It promises to captivate the audience with its intricate storytelling and immersive soundscapes, and with the band’s signature blend of brooding melodies and crushing riffs, embodies the eerie atmosphere and emotional depth of Mexican music and culture.” Sounds interesting. Let’s dive in.
I don’t know about you, but I appreciate an album that takes you on a journey and evokes strong imagery. Perhaps I am partial to good storytelling, and especially if it involves folklore. I am certainly no expert in the folklore of Guanajuato; however, part of the enjoyment of listening to something new is learning something new. But how does this stack up musically? It is solid, my friends. Definitely a fantastic blend of doom and death with a dash of gothic flair. The riffs are evil, haunting, and foreboding. Not only can Matalobos bring all that is heavy, but there is so much melody woven into the work. A welcome and unexpected surprise was the use of trombone on some tracks. Anyone familiar with mariachi music knows this is a staple in that genre, but I wouldn’t have suspected it would work well in a metal setting. It is quite special, though, and syncs up well with the guitar. Additionally, it adds a strong and sorrowful sound that contributes to the overall ambiance of Phantasmagoria: Hexed Lands. Since this work delves into aspects of Mexican folklore and culture, it is only appropriate that it be reflected musically as well. I want to dedicate some time to the vocals. Dante Méndez has it all locked down securely. You want death metal growls? Done. How about some of the unearthly shrieks of black metal style vocals? You’ve got it. Do you think you are missing out on some clean crooning that makes your heart absolutely ache? Then look no further. Everything vocally on this album is on point. It’s been awhile since I’ve heard someone make these transitions happen naturally, and it actually sounds amazing. Nothing is lacking. Don’t get me wrong-the music is brilliant and there is an astounding amount of talent in Matalobos. But I just don’t know if there was another vocalist that everything would flow the way it does.
As far as any complaints-they are minimal. The track Purgatory Blessing has a shift in which it sounded a bit disjointed. I thought, “Is something out of tune?” I had to consult my in-house audio engineer (aka my husband) and he broke it down for me. According to him, my brain likely thought the music would go in a major key, but they took it to minor. So apparently the issue really is my brain setting up a false expectation. I guess I learn something new every day. I am not partial to some of the engineering in terms of the drums; there are times in which they sound a bit flat instead of rich and round. In the grand scheme of things, though, none of this is hugely important nor does it detract from enjoying this record.
So what’s the verdict? If you want some solid death doom, this album should do you well. If you have a bit of the winter blues, it won’t help you pull out of them. It sure as hell will give you a good soundtrack, though. Now go and get your metal and folklore on.
(4.5 / 5)
