Look, I’m going to level with you fine folks: when I opted to receive this from Thee Ed, I wasn’t entirely sure what level of ridiculous this was going to be. I was told that this was a fantasy-themed one-man-band affair, which of course rang some alarm bells. When I received the package, I noted the front cover – a picture of a chap in a vicar’s outfit, with elf ears and a blonde wig. The following two words sprang instantly to mind: “oh dear”.
Yet, I needn’t have been so cynical, because as it turns out, “Into The Catacomb Abyss” is a perfectly good doom album. The man behind the titular Elf, “Keith D” also plays in a doom band named “Arctic Sleep”, and had injured his knee at a concert, which had laid him up for some time. As his bio at the host website notes, he didn’t have much else to do but sink himself into music, which is where the inspiration for this album comes from. The idea of having a shadowy elf talking about being in an abyss clearly resonated with him, while he was injured and unable to tour with his main band.
So yes, the fantasy elements are clearly on the cover with the visage of a chap with stick on ears, but the music within is really well done, considering that it’s all the work of one man. Mid tempo doom with some keyboard flourishes, and some really well sung clean vocals are in effect. In terms of the overall feel, this is perhaps a bit more up-beat in sound than many other doom bands, though the guitar tone is particularly gnarled and subterranean, which helps ensure that the music never strays too deeply into power metal territory. With regards to the music, given that Keith D plays all of the instruments himself, I was really impressed with the standard of musicianship, with some great catchy riffing on lead and rhythm guitars, and groove-laden bass work. If I were to be hypercritical, I’d say that it might be wise to hire a drummer for the next album, as although there is nothing wrong with his drumming, it is a bit workmanlike and lacking the kind of interesting fills that elevate the tub thumping from standard time keeping to interesting.
With regards to the actual sound, most of the songs sound like they could be a mix of classic Candlemass, Memory Garden, Ereb Altor (in particular with the choral vocals) and Iced Earth. The hints of power metal in the use of the synthesiser may put some listeners off, but I found that they added a fair amount of atmosphere to proceedings. I guess that purists might be concerned that they are so high in the mix, but I found them to be used in a tasteful way. I also have to report that the production of the album is really proficient; there is a powerful and clean sheen to the sound, without missing any of the aggression or drive from the instrumentation.
So, and no one is more surprised than me to report this, I really ended up enjoying this a fair amount. It looks ridiculous, and in some ways it is ridiculous, but that shouldn’t be a barrier to enjoyment in a musical genre that embraces the over-the-top. It’s a well written, well played and well recorded album, and I, for one, would like to hear more. I’m glad the elf got unearthed!
(7.5/10 Chris Davison)
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