StrommoussHeld
Behind the Curtain
4.6
The genre can be called doomified industrial black metal, industrialized black-doom or blackened industrial doom metal. However you want to name the genre, StrommoussHeld is deep within its metallic clutches. They create a very eerie soundscape that is somewhat mesmerizing. The question is, though, will "Behind The Curtain" hold your attention? Sure the genre name sounds cool, but the weird effects can only hold one's attention for so long if the metal behind it all doesn't cut it. The production of the various effects is pretty outstanding, seeing as there is a variety of ghostly effects swirling demonically about the background (or what should be the background, since they pretty much cover up vocals and instruments). It makes you feel like you've accidentally stumbled upon one of Rob Zombie's nightmares. Sure it's freaky and nightmare inducing, but the overall effect wears thin after one listen. I loved the effects, but it's like watching a scary movie: you get bored after you've experienced it once. The keyboards and sound effects are a little too much after a while, they seem to be a whole lot of filler to extend the length of songs. When you cut it away, there is only a little bit of metal, and only a little bit of THAT is actually good. Not too much can be said for the musicianship unless you consider the man at the sound mixing board a musician. There is altogether too much ambiance on "Behind the Curtain" for me to take all at once. The keyboarding detracts too much from the actual instruments, and you can barely even hear the vocals. It's more annoying than anything else, you have to slice through too much to get to the good stuff. When I go to buy a steak, I'd rather not get the cheap crap, once you cut through the fat there's very little meat to work with. The same goes for StrommoussHeld. Feed this steak to the dog, I don't want it. Wrathchild's Choice Cuts: "Last Pledge - Waiting for.?": Only because it's a minute long and it's the last track, so it marked the end of the madness
