There is always enjoyment to be had when there’s an act that comes along that can bring a heavy dose of emotion mixed with brilliantly measured heaviness while also managing to spread it all out across lengthy tracks that offer an experience that’s as deep as it is expansive. Metal has quite a few distinct styles that can tackle such an idea, and atmospheric black metal has seen a surge ever since the start of the digital era of fresh acts taking on such a challenge. Dark Doom is no different as they got their bearings with their first full-length last year, but it’s with this effort that they show us just what exactly they’re made of in all of its glory.

I’ve come across people who are unfortunate enough to see that an album has but five tracks to its name and they just assume there’s not much to that record, and I will never understand such a line of thought as we get records like this that have that exact amount that is simply flowing with quality and magnificence right from the beginning. Anyone who has listened to atmospheric black metal will have undoubtedly come across an effort somewhere along the lines of “The Journey”, but you can feel all of the spirit and energy that Dark Doom poured into this in every single track as we’re treated to fantastic cascading melodies spread beautifully across lengthy tracks that have a range to nearly ten minutes. And I couldn’t be convinced that Dark Doom could have executed it better if they tried. “The Journey” has everything that a fan of atmospheric black metal could ask for right from the vicious onslaught that’s on display most of the time with genuinely excellent moments of calm that bring it all in together to enable every factor of this record to shine even if it’s only for a minute.

Right down to the very lyrical content, Dark Doom has made an exceptional record that will surely become awash in the constant flood of content that the world of atmospheric black metal is perpetually going through, and that is truly a damn shame. There’s so much quality content being thrown our way with the current climate, and, easily, “The Journey” is one of them as it’s nothing short of a triumph for Dark Doom in every feasible way.

“The Journey” releases on June 12th via Marwoleath Records!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “The Journey” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Dark Doom on Facebook here.