(c) Kostas Vlachos
Does Doom Metal actually mean that you have to take your time when writing and releasing new music? At least that seems to be the case The Temple to be the case. The Greek quartet needed ten years between the formation of the band and the release of the first album, which is now six years old. „Of Solitude Triumphant“ is a concept record about the soul’s journey from creation through life, death and rebirth to peace in the eternal light.
There is power in epic stillness, and the 10-minute “The Foundations” has plenty of that. Carefully, almost shyly, the leisurely broadsides build up. The Temple are audible advocates of epic, melodic sounds, even if the riff around the one-minute mark actually hints at more elemental violence. But it doesn’t matter, because a hymn-like, sacred epic develops from this perceived restlessness. Spiritual extreme experiences, like an oppressive mass, give the monstrosity emotional intimacy. The giant continues to grow without relying on excessive variation. There’s not a lot going on, but that’s more than okay.
The gait remains reserved overall, The Temple don’t think much of intermediate sprints. The tracks seem to get even slower, as the concluding “The Lord Of Light” impressively demonstrates. Griftegård say hello when short melodic insertions twitch through the arrangement, again the riffing moves into much heavier realms and yet catches itself at the climax. Crushing heaviness with howling guitars dissects any expectations of common song structures with a casual shrug of the shoulders, although the singing is once again kneeling.
Quite stubbornly, The Temple pull their boots through, which is absolutely okay – that’s also Doom in a way and suits the rather laid-back attitude of the Greeks. “Of Solitude Triumphant” serves the traditional to tradition-conscious side of the genre, which is dedicated to melodic leisurelyness. Accordingly, this record could also have been released three or four decades ago, but it seems fresh to the point of timeless – a rare art that The Temple have mastered. That’s how Doom has to be.
Rating: 8/10
Available from: 09.12.2022
Available through: I Hate Records
Facebook: www.facebook.com/the.temple.doom.metal
Category: Magazin, Reviews