What’s a night-gaunt? In case you don’t know (and I didn’t) the name of the Italian label (Terror from Hell) the band Night Gaunt from Rome are signed with will give you an idea. Night-gaunts are creatures from the Lovecraftian universe, inspired by the author’s childhood nightmares. You can imagine them a bit like bat-winged, faceless ants, walking upright. And they are, of course, out there to get you. Which brings us right to the atmosphere of The Room, Night Gaunt’s new album, their second full length.
Anxiety mixed with a love for the dark, the dramatic and the antique is what characterizes this release, starting with the album cover. It features a pretty impressive Renaissance style oil painting with a surrealistic detail. A semi-human, barely-clothed creature is portrayed with its head tilted upward towards a light source. Its outstretched hand seems to be expecting something. The predominant impression is one of desperation, stirring up sympathy.
The drama, antiqueness and ever-present unease of Lovecraft’s fiction have been successfully transferred to the band’s music. Night Gaunt play doom, but doom in its most original form, meaning Black Sabbath. An old-school feel is what’s most apparent, apart from that there are monolithic riffs, pounding drumming, an often prominent, throbbing bass and clear vocals with a touch of grandeur.
The most effective of the six tracks with regard to atmosphere is Labyrinth, the one before last. Starting with the afore-mentioned monolithic riffs, it successfully evokes the fear and panic one might feel trying to find one’s way out of a labyrinth. I especially like the track’s middle part with its light, bell-like noises.
Solid and rounded, but not all that innovative. If you are into horror-fiction-inspired, old-school doom metal you should give this a listen.
(6,5/10 Slavica)
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