Ghosting

Against Nature; a band creating quite a reputation for themselves. They are bringing the old-school doom genre back with release after release of quality material, they already have eight full length albums and they’ve only been together for the past four years. Two a year, doesn’t sound much, right? Once you’ve heard each release and realise how much effort Against Nature put into their albums you’ll then see how incredible eight albums in four years is. To top it off, these guys don’t even give a shit about the money – they’ve got all these albums up on their site for free! I’d pay good money for these albums, and I’m sure a lot of others would.

Ghosting is one of my favourite albums by Against Nature (although, I am yet to hear their latest effort, Much in Little). Each song on Ghosting has its own atmosphere and possesses an individuality about it – yet, at the same time, every song on this album relates to one another and sounds somewhat similar to its predecessor.

Now, I’m not giving a track-by-track review, but I must mention the first song on this album, Absolute Zero, which is just perfect to introduce a first time listener to Against Nature, the slow and steady build up into the sudden drop in tempo is so strong and prepares you for the album ahead. Every instrument has a strong role to play, the bass sets the mood, the atmosphere and ultimately makes this album what it is, the guitar creates some of the strongest (improvised?) melodies I’ve ever heard – which reminded me a lot of Black Sabbath’s heavier, slower works. The drums really set the tempo, slow, pounding, varying drumming which is just the icing on the cake; it’s simply an amazing experience. Last and certainly not least, John Brenner’s clean sung vocals… I don’t know what to say about them. They are just amazing and John is a talented guy. The higher pitched vocals which walk along with the slower riffs of the album are just fantastic! This is a big deal for me; these are the first clean vocals I’ve liked in a doom metal band. Not only that, these are one of my favourite vocals in all of metal!

This album is an absolute gold mine for fans of Black Sabbath, old-school doom or metal in general. Every single riff, solo, bassline, vocal pattern and beat is up to par with some of the biggest bands in the genre – it’s truly a shame these guys aren’t well recognized in the underground. I recommend you get this album, now!