Review Summary: A sadly not so-often heard of band, but their album Kingdom Of Lost Souls is a definite gem in the sandy metal deserts. Very atmospheric and doomy, combined with slightly thrashy riffs.
Damnation A.D. are a quite obscure band from the US, with the following lineup.
Alex Merchlinsky [bass]
Hillel Halloway [guitar]
Ken Olden [guitar]
Dave Ward [drums]
Mike McTernan [vocals]
Now, none of these names may seem familiar to any of you. In fact, until a friend of mine sent me the songs from this album, recommending it as an excellent listen, I can say I was quite unaware of the existence of this band altogether. Upon spinning some of the songs on here, most importantly Circles, Fallacies and later on also Wait For A Day and All My Life, I found this record to be a huge gem that really has gotten no attention whatsoever for very bad reason, because this album is a rough diamond in the metal gold seas.
Damnation A.D. have a quite distinct sound. Their riffs sound thrashy, but lack any speed: it has a doom metal feel to it, but the vocals are gruff and powerful, sung (or more accurately growled) in a hoarse roar, not vaguely reminiscent of anything else I have ever heard. It's not really as much a deep grunt as it is a clean singing voice, either; it holds the middle. Nevertheless, Mike McTiernan conveys a lot of anger and aggression and also depression with his voice. The guitars have a deep and rumbling and distorted sound, as if they were downtuned to C or even B; it gives the album a very depressing and gloomy feel, not unlike Katatonia's works, but rougher, darker, deeper, and overall just more convincing (except I like the vocals slightly less.) The bass isn't really audible over the thickly layered guitars, and the drums, well they serve their part.
It is really the guitars and atmospheres that make this album what they are, in my opinion: From the beginning of Kingdom of Lost Souls (excellent opening riff, really deep and moody), to the end of circles (I love that riff), it is really an enjoyable listen. Kingdom of Lost Souls first two minutes are especially good, after thar the song goes into slightly less enjoyable territory but a very decent opener nonetheless.
The next song is pretty short, Fallacies, but it is also one of the best on the album. Mike's vocal delivering is very convincing and the guitars sound really thrashy, but they still have that doomesque quality to them. It's also really upbeat, and the vocal lines such as "I can't escape this sinking feeling, what have I done to make me feel like I'm on the run", give it once again that air of depression and sadness strewn all about this album.
The ending, Circles, opens with one of the best riffs I've ever heard. I can dream this riff since it gets so much airplay for me these days (has since I first acquired this thing).The riff is in there for very long, but just about as you're going to get bord, the vocals and the verse kicks in and off we are with an awesome track, probably the best on the album. The song preceding it, Wait For A Day, also has an awesome intro featuring what I think are synthesisers, a nice contrast with the deep metally sound you can find, also gives a very nice effect on the chorus in my opinion.
Turn Into Ghosts has a very upbeat tempo for the intro riff, but the speed sludges a bit a little deeper into the song. You get a feeling as if you're crawling through mud in the verses, it has that kind of lethargic tempo. Again a very well executed track, the voice overs incorporated again featuring some of the most earth-shattering lyrics "I am the baddest of the bad, I am the lowest of the low"... you really get the feeling Mike spent all his life in a mental ward.
All My Life is a bit long and drags, but overall it's a solid and coherent track. I've heard claims for this to be a standout song but I find it remotely unappealing, the same goes for In The Flesh and Give Me A Reason, all legitimate and worthy tracks, but after a good start to the album, they kind of kill the middle. It progressively gets better as we get to the Mortal (check the intro drums out! I love them), Climbing and Climbing (***ing sexy riff, again), and it closes off with the already mentioned Wait for a Day and Circles, both excellent tracks.
Overall if you're a fan of metal, especially somewhat slower styles, doom metal comes to mind, or anything else with deep, distorted guitars and growled vocals, this is a highly recommended album to get. I feel that this is a hidden gem in the metal of today where everything seems to be the same. They may not be that musically innovative, but at least their music is good, and doesn't rip off of a hundred of other bands. Therefore, I urge sputnik to check out this band, because it really is a good effort that sadly has gone unnoticed.
