Magister Templi - Lucifer Leviathan Logos
I’ve heard some unique label names before but Cruz Del Sur is probably the most unique I’ve heard yet. They also release some pretty unique bands and Magister Templi is no different. Extremely unique to say the least. An odd mixture of classic metal elements combined with those of a bit of progressing and intense doom, put this cd at the forefront of this genre. I like bands like this as they tend to be a bit more abstract than your conventional doom metal bands. Whether it be the lyrical content or even the writing of the music and even the overall ambience of these tunes, Magister Templi has all bases covered on this effort.
All elements are covered 10 fold here. The guitars have a nice classical, hard rock edge to them in some parts and the band incorporates them with the traditional doom parts for a nice little twist to this approach. On the solos, however, what I find odd is that there is a slight “bluesy” type feel to them. This really adds to the doom side of things. I had never thought that the 2 genres could fit together but the band does it rather nicely. On other songs the solos are more traditional and stay to the strict specifications laid down by forefathers of this genre. Along with the blues element, you can almost hear an Iron Maiden type vibe in some areas. On other songs, you will notice that the bottom heavy bass is showcased rather nicely to give these tunes a little added volume or depth.
One of the main influences here is most definitely Candlemass, but you can also hear slight elements of bands like: Count Raven, Cathedral, and an ever so slight influence from the band Confessor. I would say the Candlemass influence would be centered around the vocals and the awesomely bombastic drum work. The Cathedral influence would be from such albums as “Forest of Equilibrium” and “Endtyme”. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard Count Raven, but what I do remember from them is a horrific Sense of Desolation and Isolation, and that is the feel I get when I listen to Magister Templi. The production of this album is fairly decent but perhaps a little “foggy”. Again, this is one of those cds where the little quirks in the production and mixing work to the advantage of the band and the ultimate feel of the album as a whole. It’s as if the album has a “dated” feel to it, but I just chalk it up to the possibility that this is what the band was going for. Thus giving us their nod to the old school of their particular genre Just as many other bands nowdays are doing. You can definitely feel the respect these guys have for their art and staying true to form.
This band really rocked my brain with this album. I had high hopes for it from the get go and was not disappointed in the slightest. It has sparked an even deeper interest in this particular genre and even though this album was just released. I am already anticipating their next metal opus just as I am with a few other bands. This cd is going to have a lot of time in my stereo so until the band decides to start working on another release I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with this album. That’s the thing with this band. By the time the album is over, you are left wanting more. That is one of the main keys of being a successful band. And there is no doubt in my mind that these guys will be around for a long time and be successful for however long they are around.
All elements are covered 10 fold here. The guitars have a nice classical, hard rock edge to them in some parts and the band incorporates them with the traditional doom parts for a nice little twist to this approach. On the solos, however, what I find odd is that there is a slight “bluesy” type feel to them. This really adds to the doom side of things. I had never thought that the 2 genres could fit together but the band does it rather nicely. On other songs the solos are more traditional and stay to the strict specifications laid down by forefathers of this genre. Along with the blues element, you can almost hear an Iron Maiden type vibe in some areas. On other songs, you will notice that the bottom heavy bass is showcased rather nicely to give these tunes a little added volume or depth.
One of the main influences here is most definitely Candlemass, but you can also hear slight elements of bands like: Count Raven, Cathedral, and an ever so slight influence from the band Confessor. I would say the Candlemass influence would be centered around the vocals and the awesomely bombastic drum work. The Cathedral influence would be from such albums as “Forest of Equilibrium” and “Endtyme”. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard Count Raven, but what I do remember from them is a horrific Sense of Desolation and Isolation, and that is the feel I get when I listen to Magister Templi. The production of this album is fairly decent but perhaps a little “foggy”. Again, this is one of those cds where the little quirks in the production and mixing work to the advantage of the band and the ultimate feel of the album as a whole. It’s as if the album has a “dated” feel to it, but I just chalk it up to the possibility that this is what the band was going for. Thus giving us their nod to the old school of their particular genre Just as many other bands nowdays are doing. You can definitely feel the respect these guys have for their art and staying true to form.
This band really rocked my brain with this album. I had high hopes for it from the get go and was not disappointed in the slightest. It has sparked an even deeper interest in this particular genre and even though this album was just released. I am already anticipating their next metal opus just as I am with a few other bands. This cd is going to have a lot of time in my stereo so until the band decides to start working on another release I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with this album. That’s the thing with this band. By the time the album is over, you are left wanting more. That is one of the main keys of being a successful band. And there is no doubt in my mind that these guys will be around for a long time and be successful for however long they are around.
- Master Of The Templ
- Lucifer
- The Innsmouth Look
- Leviathan
- Tiphareth
- Logos
- Vitriol
