This is the debut album from UK doom band Epimetheus.
Containing 48 minutes of prime underground doom, Perseus 9 heralds the arrival of Epimetheus as ones to definitely watch. More than that though, as not only am I very intrigued by where Epimetheus take their material in the future, where they’re at right now is very compelling in its own right.
Perseus 9 has a warm and textured sound that’s charismatic. It has an earthen charm that’s infectious, and that’s before you even factor in the songs themselves. Musically, Epimetheus deal in doom metal that takes elements of stoner and sludge and delivers seven songs of huge riffs and beefy character.
This is an album that has instant appeal. It feels familiar and comfortable, while still making a space for itself in the crowded doom landscape. Epimetheus take a typical set of stylistic building blocks and manage to put them together in ways that allow the band to stand out. As a rough series of reference points, think of an engaging mix of bands such as Conan, Sleep, and Slomatics, and then throw in a touch of Orange Goblin and Yob. Yep, Perseus 9 is pretty tasty.
The riffs are huge and insisting, the bass is prominent and swirling, and drums lay a foundation for everything that’s more nuanced than the norm. The vocals are especially notable in a way, as they encompass pretty much most styles of voice you might expect to hear on this sort of release.
The songs span everything from instant heaviness to mood-focused worldbuilding, from hypnotic waves of repetition to deep atmospheric exploration. This is a band who are just as happy to focus on overwhelming the listener with walls of distortion and feedback as they are building and sustaining vast absorbing soundscapes.
It’s clear that Epimetheus know their work. This is a well-crafted album with lots of personality. Perseus 9 is very easy to enjoy if you’re a fan of doom, and I heartily recommend that you check it out. If you’re partial to a bit of doom, this is better than most.
Wonderbox Metal 