Description

Limited black vinyl with gatefold cover and poster black clouds colide until the storm is ready to burst waves rise from the sea and the swells stretch up to the sky hills tremble in agony as the earth is to yawn the mist turns to smoke when the flames lick the materia the powers of the sea, the earth, the winds and the fire, can you hear my chant? It seems unfortunate that when a band taps into something truly otherworldly and occult, if you will, they don't seem to be able to stay together for very long. The Angelic Process seem to be another good example of that, and I guess Thergothon were one as well, lasting long enough to bless us mere mortals with a demo and full length before becoming a quality, but not as good gothic/shoe gaze band. And while their full length may be a bit more epic in terms of scope and it's unblinking, otherworldly sound, the demo certainly isn't too far away. Whereas Stream from the Heavens conjures up images of vast, perplexing towers, symbols and primordial dread, Fhtagn Nagh brings up images of something that will a bit less indescribable, is still just as primordial and otherworldly as the full length. And what a tune to start off with, Elemental is one of the most majestic things I've ever heard, with Thergothon displaying their trademark riffs- slowly unfolding beasts that like the towers and monoliths they represent, are grand, majestic and archaic- untouched by time and its' wearying effects. There's tempo changes galore (well, a few of them anyway), so don't be afraid if you're not used to the funeral doom, as this will keep you interested. Unfortunately, Evoken and Yet the Watchers don't seem to really stand up to the first track, but theyre still really solid, Evoken being a great deal heavier and a lot darker then Elemental, whereas Yet the Watchers Guard is even slower and raises the heaviness a great deal. The production certainly helps the mood- whereas it was all cold and foreboding in the full length, here it's a lot rawer and warmer, perhaps making the demo a bit more accessible, as the guitars aren't as flanged either. Yeah, overall this is a beast of a release. The skill these guys have at writing songs and memorable riffs is quite impressive. Doom fans must get this at all costs, and everyone else should seek it out too. Track listing: