This is the third album from Italian doom metallers Epitaph.
I enjoyed 2014’s Crawling out of the Crypt a great deal, and 2017’s Claws wasn’t too shabby either. It’s been a long time since their last album though, and Epitaph also have a new singer now too. So, what do the 41 minutes of new music on Path to Oblivion have to offer us then?
Classic doom metal goodness, in essence. There’s a touch of progressive doom and there’s plenty of dark atmosphere, but this is, first and foremost, all about glorious traditional doom metal. If you’re a fan of Candlemass, Black Sabbath, Trouble, Solstice, etc., then this is for you.
The riffs are big, the vocals soaring, and the songs potent. The new singer has a voice that’s clearly been born for the style. Dripping with power and charisma, his vocals crown the equally powerful music like a focal point in a tsunami of doom. It’s a very good match, and he fits Epitaph’s sound perfectly.
Epitaph have a formidable and well-rounded presence on Path to Oblivion. The songs reek of old-school songwriting, and they benefit hugely from the band’s classic, no nonsense approach to their craft. Catchy, memorable, with arresting riffs, imposing atmosphere, and doom-laden dynamics, Path to Oblivion offers a collection of tracks that are easy to digest and enjoy.
Path to Oblivion is a strong return from the mighty Epitaph. I find I have a low tolerance for this sort of traditional doom metal, as so many bands just sound tired and stale. This is absolutely not the case with Epitaph though. They are masters of doom metal, and their music sounds timeless and worthy of any doom or heavy metal fan’s time.
Hmm, I can’t help but wonder if this would have made it to this year’s best of list had it seen the light of day earlier. Regardless, don’t miss this as it’s shockingly good.
Wonderbox Metal 