I Die, Therefore I Am

Sweden’s brand of gothic down-tempo metal is by way of Morito Ergo Sum to a very interesting degree. The demo titled I Die Therefore I Am is a morose venture into the labyrinth that is the dark side of the soul. The brand of doom here is of a very light gothic variety, but void of all of the typically redundant trappings associated with such a label. You hear more Warning or Sabbath than anything. There are no EMO tricks or false bravado going on here; the band offers nothing but a sullen pathway into this maze of despair that comes across with relative ease. I’m eager to hear a couple of additional tracks, but so far the two here (plus an intro) serve as a pretty solid template.

The tracks are lengthy, yet not too long so as to cause boredom. The down-tempo feel to the music is a nice experience overall with some drop-tune goodness that is only enhanced by the vocals that ring clear and concise, providing a somber tone that doesn’t drip with lethargy as much as it simmers in its forlorn juices. For some doom metal with just a touch of gothic tempestuousness you might do well to check out Morito Ergo Sum and channel that inner child bent on suffering alone.

(Originally written for www.metalpsalter.com)