Majestic Downfall Temple of Guilt
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
Man, it’s hard to listen to an album like Temple of Guilt – the debut full-length from Mexican doom metal band Majestic Downfall – and not want to kill yourself. That’s how you know you’re listening to some “grade A” doom metal. If you get to the end of the album and need sunshine and a copy of Poison’s Look What the Cat Dragged In to claw yourself out of a bleak melancholy, that’s doom done right, and that’s exactly what Majestic Downfall (hell, even the name depresses) delivers.
Majestic Downfall is essentially a one-man band. Jacobo Cordova (ex-Antiqua, Project Firestart) takes brutal doom metal back to its roots with this project. Temple of Guilt instantly recalls early efforts by My Dying Bride, Katatonia, and Morgion. That classic doom sound is augmented by elements of modern doom like Agalloch and November’s Doom as well as traces of death and black metal. The end result is five songs ranging from 9-15 minutes in length that range from somber and melancholy to soul-crushingly bleak. It says a lot about the strength of these songs that you never once get bored with them. They’re all of a similar style, but the pace ranges from funereal to headbanging, and the atmosphere is always compelling. These powerful, evocative songs paint a fascinating and despondent picture one gray brushstroke at a time.
Doom metal fans, rejoice (better yet, mourn). You’re in for some truly monumental doom when you enter the Temple of Guilt. Just don’t keep any sharp objects or loaded firearms nearby when you listen to it, or you may not survive the experience.
Label: My Kingdom Music
Lineup:
Jacobo Cordova – Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Porncho – Drums
Pastas – Keyboards
Migueliro – Guitar solos
Track Listing:
1. Temple of Guilt
2. Unexpected
3. Swallow: Pride
4. Failure
5. Bleeding Sun
Online: On MySpace
HRH Rating: 8/10