Immense Intense Suspense

The full length debut for this doom/avant-garde metal act, serves up both originality, and integrity. Phlebotomized started out as a grindcore band, releasing their early demos under that title. Somewhere along the line, the band decided to change their style, as "Immense, Intense, Suspense" values melodies, and symphonic passages. This does not take away from the evil, depressing mood that swims through the music.

The first thing you will notice hovering above the pounding guitar riffs, is the violin and keyboard passages that serve as the rhythm section. Meloncholic, yet brutal, the songs present a story, with lyrics wrapped around the theme of religion. The music does not really have a true form. You hear mixtures of clean, and growl vocals, as well as the occasional clean vocal passage. Acoustic guitars open songs, while the violin and keyboards are ever-present. A gloomy atmosphere is placed, while a violin dances with violent, death metal guitar riffs.

The melodic breaks throughout the album hinder the progression of the brutal parts, while the violin almost diminishes, and remains in limbo, only to pick up alongside the blasting guitar riffs. Phlebotomized gives homage to their early roots, with much of the heavier parts of the drumming focused on speed and progression. The full band occasionally comes through, yelling lines in unison.

"Immense, Intense, Suspense" seems to have gotten lost somewhere in time. An album that contains so many different elements, from brutal, riff-filled structures, to meloncholic, and bittersweet melodies, is hard to imagine being so unheard of. Perhaps it is just another album ahead of it's time.