Carven
28-10-03, 09:10
FUNEBRARUM formed in early 1999 with vocalist Daryl Kahan (Morgul) , bassist Dave Wagner(Nyarlathotep)..both from ABAZAGORATH, and guitarist Nick Orlando of doom band EVOKEN.
Latest news to date : they recorded a demo in 99 and in 2002 the "Beneath The Columns of Abandoned Gods" CD was released by Necroharmonic Productions (http://www.necroharmonic.com) .
They are currently looking a new drummer, but they have been busy working on new songs and have some new stuff (a 7" EP on Midnight Records, LP version of "Beneath..." as well as a split EP with EVISCIUM on Buio Omega Records) forthcoming....
A review of "Beneath The Columns of Abandoned Gods" :
I found out about Funebrarum more by accident than anything. Vince (Verkay, drummer from doom champions Evoken) had mentioned to me that Nick (Orlando, guitarist in the same band) had another band going, one whose style was rooted firmly in old-school death metal akin to Carnage, old Entombed, Autopsy -- and a lot more, all bands whose names were associated with all things known to be devoid of purity, consummate in their relationship with filth and hideousness. So I contacted Nick and asked him about this, and he provided plenty of information, even offered to send me a copy of their latest release, Beneath the Columns of Abandoned Gods. After hearing the description and learning who was involved (Nick, of course, and guys from Abazagorath), how could I refuse?
And unholy fucking shit, I had no idea what I was in for.
This is death metal. There is nothing else that it can be classified as -- it's death distilled into aural form, extreme to the most extreme definition of the word, an undeniably brutal assault on the senses. Daryl Kahan's vocals are raw burps and gurgles accentuated by the occasional scream, echoing hauntingly with a touch of reverb; Nick's guitar is thick and dense, chunkier than Progresso's chicken soup, unbelievably heavy and almost devoid of melody at times; Dave Wagner's bass weaves sinister lines abreast the guitar, a thickly distorted wall of chords that's nearly indecipherable but deliciously, disgustingly ugly in sound; and Brian Jimenez's drumming is practically flawless, accompanying thunder to the already bestial storm brewing -- he utilizes a very muscular and rhythmic approach that flows excellently with the music, blasting only when it fits and letting fly on the kicks just so. These guys obviously know what they're doing, obviously know what they want to play and ultimately accomplish. And in my humble opinion they have done so, for this thirty-minute excursion into the dark realm of death is a masterpiece.
Beyond their obvious talent and skill, the most redeeming factor on Funebrarum's side is that they don't sound like they're rehashing or paying tribute to the old-school. Beneath the Columns... is their interpretation of the style, their individual adaptation. If you are expecting to hear Dark Recollections Part II or Mental Funeral II, you're going to be disappointed ... and simultaneously elated, because hearing this will be like a breath of fresh air. You will thankfully not be subjected to what comes off as aught more than a moment of fancy -- these guys (and I know this for true after talking to Nick many times) are dedicated to their craft and share a profound respect and love for the old-school style of death metal, and it's my impression that for them to create nothing more than a Xerox of the aforementioned albums would be a grave insult. Not only to them, but to the musicians on those albums and their potential fanbase.
The production, for this style of music, is absolutely perfect. Everything can be heard with clarity, there not being a single moment where the instruments clash or take up too much room, so to speak. Nothing gets drowned out; nothing sounds cluttered or claustrophobic. Another point in the band's favor: they know how to make their music sound fantastic without sacrificing any shred of brutality.
Latest news to date : they recorded a demo in 99 and in 2002 the "Beneath The Columns of Abandoned Gods" CD was released by Necroharmonic Productions (http://www.necroharmonic.com) .
They are currently looking a new drummer, but they have been busy working on new songs and have some new stuff (a 7" EP on Midnight Records, LP version of "Beneath..." as well as a split EP with EVISCIUM on Buio Omega Records) forthcoming....
A review of "Beneath The Columns of Abandoned Gods" :
I found out about Funebrarum more by accident than anything. Vince (Verkay, drummer from doom champions Evoken) had mentioned to me that Nick (Orlando, guitarist in the same band) had another band going, one whose style was rooted firmly in old-school death metal akin to Carnage, old Entombed, Autopsy -- and a lot more, all bands whose names were associated with all things known to be devoid of purity, consummate in their relationship with filth and hideousness. So I contacted Nick and asked him about this, and he provided plenty of information, even offered to send me a copy of their latest release, Beneath the Columns of Abandoned Gods. After hearing the description and learning who was involved (Nick, of course, and guys from Abazagorath), how could I refuse?
And unholy fucking shit, I had no idea what I was in for.
This is death metal. There is nothing else that it can be classified as -- it's death distilled into aural form, extreme to the most extreme definition of the word, an undeniably brutal assault on the senses. Daryl Kahan's vocals are raw burps and gurgles accentuated by the occasional scream, echoing hauntingly with a touch of reverb; Nick's guitar is thick and dense, chunkier than Progresso's chicken soup, unbelievably heavy and almost devoid of melody at times; Dave Wagner's bass weaves sinister lines abreast the guitar, a thickly distorted wall of chords that's nearly indecipherable but deliciously, disgustingly ugly in sound; and Brian Jimenez's drumming is practically flawless, accompanying thunder to the already bestial storm brewing -- he utilizes a very muscular and rhythmic approach that flows excellently with the music, blasting only when it fits and letting fly on the kicks just so. These guys obviously know what they're doing, obviously know what they want to play and ultimately accomplish. And in my humble opinion they have done so, for this thirty-minute excursion into the dark realm of death is a masterpiece.
Beyond their obvious talent and skill, the most redeeming factor on Funebrarum's side is that they don't sound like they're rehashing or paying tribute to the old-school. Beneath the Columns... is their interpretation of the style, their individual adaptation. If you are expecting to hear Dark Recollections Part II or Mental Funeral II, you're going to be disappointed ... and simultaneously elated, because hearing this will be like a breath of fresh air. You will thankfully not be subjected to what comes off as aught more than a moment of fancy -- these guys (and I know this for true after talking to Nick many times) are dedicated to their craft and share a profound respect and love for the old-school style of death metal, and it's my impression that for them to create nothing more than a Xerox of the aforementioned albums would be a grave insult. Not only to them, but to the musicians on those albums and their potential fanbase.
The production, for this style of music, is absolutely perfect. Everything can be heard with clarity, there not being a single moment where the instruments clash or take up too much room, so to speak. Nothing gets drowned out; nothing sounds cluttered or claustrophobic. Another point in the band's favor: they know how to make their music sound fantastic without sacrificing any shred of brutality.