Hailing from Joensuu, Finland, Hooded Menace began haunting the underground scene back in 2007, when they crawled from the crypt at the behest of Lasse Pyykö, who is known for his work in Phlegethon and Vacant Coffin. Handling guitars, bass guitars, and vocal duties, Pyykö has enlisted the help of numerous musicians over the last eight years, in that span crafting three full-length albums along with several E.P.'s, as well as splits with the likes of Asphyx, Coffins, and Horse Latitudes. Steeped in the ways of doom and funereal atmospheres, Hooded Menace have distinguished themselves from being able to be labeled death metal or doom metal, as they have blended both so effectively. On October 30th, 2015, the band will release album number four, entitled Darkness Drips Forth, via Relapse Records.
An ominous toll of bells ushers in "Blood For The Burning Oath/Dungeons Of The Disembodied," a crawling miasma of riffs leading the listener to a mass of sampled screams and Pykkö's choked-with-grave-soil throat. The doom hangs heavy in the fetid air, as a journey of the slowest moments of My Dying Bride mix with the tension of early death metal, while some melodic riffing swirls over the deep-set rhythm section. Hooded Menace incorporates some rocking parts before a wash of distortion heralds a trippy instrumental departure, showcasing the diversity of sound that elevates them above many of their contemporaries plying this style.
The epic "Elysium of Dripping Death" clocks in at 11:34, a winding underground river of riffs crawling beneath sunken graves, guaranteed to please fans of funeral doom and guttural death metal. Pykkö's voice is a morbid oration piercing the dirge, and eventually the guitars swell, building into a set of twin leads which give the music a glimmer of melodic beauty amidst the madness. The melodies, especially around the 6:15 mark, flow into the ears like embalming fluid into a hollow artery. Warm, organic, they are truly a testament to the playing virtuosity of Pykkö and second guitarist Teemo Hannonen (2012-present). To these ears, the resemblance to old My Dying Bride is hard to miss. It gives the music a higher dimension of quality, one which these Finns use to their advantage. The listening experience is a bewitching one, full of slow descents and labored climbs. The mood of the tomb is preserved, however, despite the helping of melody.
"Ashen With Solemn Decay" is the briefest listen of the four songs on offer. At over nine minutes in length, it too takes it time to circle the listener. From the standpoint of sound, this track wafts slowly into (un)life, the floral scent of gorgeous soulful leads masking but not eliminating the stench of decay underneath them. Pykkö's voice is a crackling moan from Hades, his vocal lines building up along with the riffs at around the 4:50 mark until a piercing lead comes forth. Intricate and well placed, it is only a brief reprieve. However, before things can get too one dimensional, the band keeps up with melancholy riffing guaranteed to keep the listener's interest. When one guitar hangs feedback over the abyss, and the other plays rolling, building riffs, the My Dying Bride comparisons will inevitably flow once again. To be clear, Hooded Menace pay homage to this sound, so do not think they have simply ripped it off. This song is a perfect example of the songwriting style going on in the minds of these crafty Finns. If you're not paying attention, it might all come off like some funeral doom without nuance. But throw on the headphones, shut out the light, and turn it up high. The riffs and leads which permeate and comprise the songs are arranged brilliantly, giving them so much more malleability than might first appear present.
The last song – there are only four – called "Beyond Deserted Flesh," features a more horror element to its 10:07 length. Rolling drums, unconventional riffing and some further eldritch moaning from Pykkö set the tone. A quarter way through there is a trippy breakdown, but when the song comes back in its all tortured riffs and slow ticks of the metallic ride cymbal. Again the musical, melodic playing of the guitar keeps the song from growing stale. At the 5:30 mark the tension builds around Pykkö's voice, and the song picks up the pace a bit. This is a welcome transition, showing Hooded Menace don't get lost up their own asses. Perhaps it's a Finnish / Scandinavian thing – they must teach song dynamics alongside math and history up there, because so many bands have it nailed down. Hooded Menace is no exception. Compelling leads give way to a martial drum beat three quarters of the way home, and the song comes back down into the moist soil on the coffin lid. The guitars at 8:00 minutes or so play such an ass-kicking set of riffs, the listener will be forced to slow-motion head-bang along to the ruckus.
Hooded Menace are not for fans who only like high tempo music, but for anyone with an ear for good songwriting and a penchant for delicious funeral doom, Darkness Drips Forth is a feast for the ears and should not be overlooked. Grab a shovel and dig six feet down til you pound upon their coffin lid – let this album rip and for f***k's sake do some damage to your bloody ears.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDoUHKdrmGA[/youtube]
7/10
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