Tuesday 29 November 2011

Heavy Metal New Blood EP Review : Paean - Livium


Paean – Livium EP 2011 (Unsigned)
Rating : 3.5/5

Estonian progressive doom/death metal band Paean have just completed their debut EP following on from their 2010 demo “The Radiant Moon”

The character of the EP it set by a dark and shadowy undertone most evident in the intro sections of “Illusive Imprisonment” and “Impending Sacrifice/Fall of the False Lords” with their almost wraithlike atmospheric starts supported by the pulse of the drum, to keep the tempo going, as layers of music gradually build up before the crushing vocals kick in.

The EP contrasts these ethereal interludes with dark, menacing vocals and furious paced hard and heavy denser segments of sound.

My personal favourite is “Crimson Seas” with a slightly faster paced start and some excellent guitar sections with ominous riffs leading into more elaborate guitar work and also some very strong percussion sections. “Awakening” also has high-quality guitar parts.

The lyrics are dark with themes of death, revenge and justice being prominent and invoking Norse mythology throughout the EP.

The recording quality is good and the mixing of instruments is well done allowing vocals/instruments to be heard clearly and individually, yet still managing to interlace well together to provide the full on heavy backdrop at the right time.

The EP makes for impressive listening so head over to their facebook page to check them out.

Track Listing:
1. Illusive Imprisonment
2. Crimson Seas
3. Awakening
4. Impending Sacrifice/Fall of the False Lords

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