CoC : Pantheïst - O Solitude : Review

Pantheïst - _O Solitude_
(Firebox, 2003)
by: Pedro Azevedo (7 out of 10)

Belgians Pantheïst approach doom metal mostly from a funereal, darkly orchestral perspective. The deep classical music influences shine through amidst the murky doom metal, usually accompanied by very decent clean vocals instead of the also sufficiently competent death vox. But Pantheïst also take some other measures to increase the uniqueness of their sound, most of which unfortunately detract greatly from my enjoyment of an album that is otherwise very good. After the excellent first eight minutes of opener "O Solitude", for instance, pace suddenly moves up a notch; but the plodding riff and subsequent blastbeat are poorly tacked onto an otherwise consistent song. On second track "Don't Mourn", after a brilliantly solemn first four minutes, things change momentarily into a folksy tune that is able to single-handedly ruin a great track -- the track would have been better off if it ended after those initial four minutes instead of going on for another ten. The baffling guitar solo and upbeat riff towards the end of third track "Time" have a similar effect before the song closes with another blastbeat. I don't mind the blastbeats per se, but they simply aren't good enough to justify their place here. Fourth track "Envy Us" is much more consistent, setting the stage for the massive eighteen minute closer "Curse the Morning Light", which is good, but not great compared to some of the preceding material that often ends up ruined by silly passages and mediocre pace changes. _O Solitude_ is an album that features some great music but ends up seriously marred by its lack of consistency.

Contact: http://www.firebox.fi

(article published 27/10/2003)