NACHTMYSTIUM

Disassociate Nachtmystium from the black metal tag, which they don't really subscribe to after all, and what is left is at times melodic, sometimes rock and roll, but always interesting. 'Doomsday Derelicts' appears to blend all of these traits perfectly into a concise four-song package. Opener 'Bones' is probably the most 'extreme' track on this release and, because of this, is the least interesting. From 'Life of Fire' onwards though the song writing takes a giant leap into fusing melody and psychedelic passages to a Celtic Frost-alike musical backbone. And it's brilliant. 'Hellish Overdose' draws upon the glory days of W.A.S.P. and channels it through Tom Fischer's earlier works to create a fascinating mix of hard rock and metal that is curiously, and thankfully, free of cheese. Closer 'Pitch Black Cadence' is almost the bookend in terms of style, being reasonably close to 'Bones' but, with its varying tempos, tribal drums, and reliance on moody guitar lines, ensures it has enough layers to remain enthralling. America it seems still has much to offer in extreme music, which considering the frankly awful exports in other genres it has thrust upon us over time is to be applauded. This is a wonderful, if over-too-soon, EP that should be admired in years to come.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Candlelight Records

EP

DOOMSDAY DERELICTS

Review by Steve Cowan

RUNNING TIME:

16:36

RELEASE DATE:

27th July 2009

TRACK LISTING

1) Bones
2) Life of Fire
3) Hellish Overdose
4) Pitch Black Cadence

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

USA

"From 'Life of Fire' onwards though the song writing takes a giant leap into fusing melody and psychedelic passages to a Celtic Frost-alike musical backbone."