Skepticism
Ordeal


4.0
excellent

Review

by rasputin USER (201 Reviews)
November 7th, 2015 | 66 replies


Release Date: 2015 | Tracklist

Review Summary: zero reasons to be skeptical

In true Skepticism fashion, the long-running Finnish group were quiet for no less than 7 years following the release of their last record Alloy. That release marked a pinnacle of sorts for the band - their brand of funeral doom that had slowly evolved since 1995 really came to maturity, while at the same time Alloy set itself apart stylistically and aesthetically from Skepticism's previous recordings. It was a pleasing and not so surprising surprise then, to see Ordeal pop out of nowhere early in 2015. What was a surprise however, was the fact this new album from one doom's greats was a live album, a notoriously difficult format for doom bands. Clouded with uncertainty at what I was about to be confronted with, my first play-through of Ordeal was nothing short of breathtaking - not only have they brought to life the slow and bleak vibes that every Skepticism record finely conveys, but the new material presented here is of the utmost quality and further cements Skepticism as a tour de force in funeral doom today.

When it comes to the new material, there is definitely some semblance of continuity between it and the songs from Alloy. It has that same command of melody, really allowing the organs and vocals to take control and direct the surge of riffs to ever darker depths. Being a live record I'm nothing short of amazed at how great it's been mastered. Everything sounds crystal clear, levels are set perfectly and each section is played with total precision. Being 8 relatively lengthy songs, Ordeal is fantastic in which to lose yourself. Countless plays later, riding familiar highs and lows, I still do not feel any kind of boredom or 'put something else on'-itis each time I play it through. Alloy when it was released and for years after had the same effect, and this has as much to do with Skepticism's unique sound as it does with their great song-writing. There are those that may balk at this release because it is a live album, but in all honesty it's really hard to actually know for sure unless you read about it beforehand - this sounds almost too good for a live album, and if it wasn't for the applause at the end of tracks giving it away, even I could have been fooled. As leycec says in his sound-off, this is 'essential material for long-standing Skepticism devotees'. I couldn't agree with this sentiment more. If you love Skepticism, Ordeal's freshness and vigour will captivate you for at least another 7 years (hopefully).



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user ratings (47)
3.7
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
Gyromania
November 7th 2015


37485 Comments


this record rules, although i prefer alloy

Hawks
November 7th 2015


93767 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Wtf I didn't even know about this. Need this now.



Ohhhhhh it's on Spotify, gonna jam now. m/

rasputin
November 7th 2015


14968 Comments


yeah i only came across it a few months ago and was like wut when i saw it was released in Jan

flying under the radar as usual

enedwaith
November 7th 2015


1865 Comments


wait what there's more than one album by skepticism? i thought they just released stormcrowfleet back when and that was it. i need to catch up

Gyromania
November 7th 2015


37485 Comments


well yeah man, this is sputnik after all

Hawks
November 7th 2015


93767 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I still need to jam Stormcrowfleet, but the 3 that followed it slay. I can imagine this will rule as well.

enedwaith
November 7th 2015


1865 Comments


stormcrowfleet is really good shit man

rasputin
November 7th 2015


14968 Comments


'wait what there's more than one album by skepticism? i thought they just released stormcrowfleet back when and that was it. i need to catch up'

lol yeah there's a few bro, if you liked it you definitely need to hear everything else

Voivod
Staff Reviewer
November 7th 2015


10946 Comments


Good review, pos.

Which reminds me... I need to check this out.

DarkNoctus
November 7th 2015


12359 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

yeah i only came across it a few months ago and was like wut when i saw it was released in Jan



flying under the radar as usual




it was recorded in january but released in september so you weren't that late to the mark [:



need to spin this again, liked it the first time, haven't revisited

ComeToDaddy
November 7th 2015


1851 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Quality is so good for a live album. I think I might actually prefer this to Alloy after only 5-6 listens. Sweet rev rasp m/

oltnabrick
November 7th 2015


40768 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

this is real good



one of the my favorite metal albums this year.

oltnabrick
November 7th 2015


40768 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

of course

RogueNine
November 8th 2015


5677 Comments


What's gonna be your 200th?

rasputin
November 8th 2015


14968 Comments


probably something else random i decide last minute to write about, like this one ;)

enedwaith
November 8th 2015


1865 Comments


do brocas helm's into battle

rasputin
November 8th 2015


14968 Comments


havent heard that but too late i did one anyway

PortalofPerfection
November 8th 2015


3327 Comments


Haven't had some good ol fashioned solid doom in a while. Goona check this.


Hawks
November 8th 2015


93767 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yep this rules.

Artuma
November 8th 2015


32791 Comments


fuck yes need to jam this. i was there when they recorded the album and it sounded really great, interested to hear how it sounds on the record



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