I’ve followed Finnish occult doom metallers Cardinals Folly since the release of their debut album “Such Power Is Dangerous!” in 2011 but they really struck a chord with the release of 2013’s “Strange Conflicts Of The Past” which was a collection of material that preceded the debut release. Also I should add that the band previously existed under the moniker of The Coven, whose material I’ve not heard but not for lack of trying. With a further three albums and split out since the 2013 album the band has pushed the envelope of the doom genre and strictly speaking the band ventures into purist heavy metal with an epic flavour occasionally. Last album “Deranged Pagan Sons” was doom personified smattered with those heavy metal touches as some relatively upbeat tracks added variety to the album but with this split the band returns to full doom monstrosity.

A short sample leads on the opener, “Walvwater Proclaimed”, into a twisting opaque riff reinforced with a bass foundation that is dense, pulsing and wholly encompassing. Added to this you have the inimitable vocal tone of Mikko Kääriäinen, whose clean delivery dominates when he sings. His tone is emotive and purposeful as melismatic lyrics emphasise each passing second. Shorter yet equally dense is “Spiritual North”, the songs bass seems to intensify here as again those vocals characterise every nuance of the music. The music and beat is hypnotic, not quite droning on a single melody but the transfixing pace is entrancing as the bands contribution to the split closes with “Sworn Through Odin’s And Satan’s Blood”. This nigh on ten minute epic, sees an initial pick up in the speed, though it is not fast by any means, right before the song plunges into a miasmic bass line and isolated guitar riff. Again that mesmeric texture is evident right before the song introduces the lyrics. The abrupt change in pace is excellently done, and comes unexpected, as do the harsher vocals that are inserted. As the songs contorting drive continues the song reveals a powerful lead break, tuneful and desolate sounding it fits the song perfectly. The songs transforms through various sections as the closing phase slows the album to a crawl and it is this ability to engage their songs with a myriad of changes that make Cardinals Folly such a powerful band.

Australian act Lucifer’s Fall are a new band on my radar, and with a fairly extensive back catalogue I have a lot of catching up to do. The moment the opening riff to “Die Witch Die” starts it grabs and hooks you in with talons of doom potency. There is an overriding heavy metal flavour to their songs I’m sure early Ozzy era Sabbath fans will particularly enjoy and embrace. The rawness enables the songs to feel gritty as “Call Of The Wild” follows a tuneful hook isolated for emphasis before the drum fills focus in. As the song develops the bass permeates the mix gently before the whole track erupts into a shroud of doom malevolence. The vocals intensify here, with characterisations and a slight theatrical guise as their power is undoubted, and possessing a throaty delivery. The pace picks up significantly for “The Gates Of Hell” as cymbal highlighting is heard peppering the track with a catchy riff. The song plummets down into doom solidity as the vocals take on a whole new sinister apparel right before a fret scorching lead break.

Two highly contrasting bands but wholly engaging this is well worth shelling out cash for.

(8.5/10 Martin Harris)

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https://www.facebook.com/LucifersFallDoom

https://cruzdelsurmusic.bandcamp.com/album/cardinals-folly-lucifers-fall-split