Briton Rites - For Mircalla

May 25, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

Georgia’s Briton Rites has one of my personal favorite singers from the doom genre in Phil Swanson, also of Hour of 13, so I was naturally intrigued by his other project. That project is the first album offering, For Mircalla, a casual ride through the doom carnival that is musically great, but….

Okay, I’m all for the evil, satanic, hell-bound “chick-on-the-altar” lyrics, but honestly, as much as it pains me, some of this album’s lyrics are just not happening for me. I hate to use the word cliché, but yes, every cliché in doom metal that Sabbath managed to avoid and Candlemass made somewhat tolerable is throughout - otherwise great music and a terrific vocal. For example, the second track “A Meeting in the Woods” espouses:






As I say, I love these type of lyrics, but time and a myriad of bands, good and bad, have used and abused these lyrics so often that they should be posted in brothel hallways as how-to guides. When topics like these are to be undertaken in the current day the more cerebral and abstract avenue is usually the better bet. I understand the concept form here, but I know there has to be better lyrical arrangements, given some serious effort. Again, it pains me to say this; it really does, because the band is otherwise great. However, not all the lyrics are to my displeasure. “The Right Hand of Doom” is one damn fine song, musically and lyrically. All tastes are subjective, so take what I’ve said with an open mind.

Down-tempo and heavy as all hell, guitarist Howie Bentley and drummer Corbin King create some very memorable and vibrant doom metal. “Vampire Hunter, 1600” oozes out of the speakers like St. Vitus’ Dance from Sabbath’s mighty Volume 4, slow and ugly. Special care was taken for each instrument to ring accordingly and makes for a wonderful production on a sincerely heavy trip into the dungeons of metal’s oft-overcrowded castle. While I get lost in Swanson’s vocal delivery, smooth and with a hint of despair in all the right places, the music is both complimentary and sincere. As I say, the lyrics are the only low-point for me, but are they enough to stay away from this CD?

Absolutely not.

I love the subject matter, I love the doom genre, I love the foreboding atmosphere embodied in such music, and while the lyrics aren’t exactly what I would seek out in such music, others of the fan base certainly might, more so than I might imagine. So by all means seek out this great band and support the Gloomy Gus’ among us!    

Release Date: April 22, 2010
Label: Echoes of Crom Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Carmilla
2.  A Meeting in the Woods
3.  Vampire Hunter, 1600
4.  The Right Hand of Doom
5.  The Exorcism of Tanith
6.  All-Hallowed Vengeance
7.  Karnstein Castle

Total playing time:  66:48

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*Comments:

“Of shapes now loosed, once pent in hell--/
Tonight's the gathering to worship Satan as Lord--/
As a young girl spreads naked on the altar like a whore--/
Black Goat of One Thousand Young will sow his seed-“