Atmospheric gothic metal for patient intellectuals - A review of Kamlath's "Stronger than Frost"

Kamlath call their style Siberian metal. Sorry guys, first of all this isn't even a genre. Secondly, this record's atmosphere might be gloomy but not cold enough to recall Siberia's majestic northern nature. Thirdly, there are no Russian folk elements or even Russian lyrics throughout the record. Let's just call Stronger than Frost what it is: a very good gothic doom metal record.

Among the positives, the release is carried by Marco Benevento's charismatic baritone vocals. They are as atmospheric, enchanting and hypnotizing as in his main band The Foreshadowing. A few short guttural spoken word passages add some diversity to longer tunes such as "Thy Revelation". The guitar play is also quite potent with quite mysterious melodic solos, colder and more simplistic riffs and occasional down-stripped moments in overtures, transitions and codas as in the dynamic opener "Isgher". The bass guitar is audible and dominant enough to add to the record's gloomy atmosphere. The different songs have different intriguing ideas despite their similar stylistic approaches. The production fits the record's gloomy atmosphere and lyrical concept. The sinister cover artwork underlines the lyrical and musical concept as well.

On the negative side, the album's few up-beat parts as in "Seven Thousand Winters" sound poorly interwoven with the numerous mid-paced and slow structures as they often interrupt the record's gloomy atmosphere. The drum play is at times a little bit too dominant, varied and vivid for this genre. The band loses it when it occasionally enters extreme metal territories and convinces most in its lush gothic metal soundscapes. Despite each song being different and diversified in its gothic metal boundaries, the album might be lacking a truly memorable and outstanding song that makes it stand out if compared to the main bands of the involved musicians.

To keep short, intellectual gothic metal fans will love this atmospheric, conceptual and efficient release with its seven fleshed-out compositions. The concept and lyrics are quite intriguing and request serious attention and multiple spins to open up. This release is the opposite of background music or easily accessible material but the gloomy atmosphere and detailed songwriting are rewarding for the patient target audience. Stronger than Frost exponentially grows on you as you listen to it. The project is though lacking its very own unique sound to really stand out. It also misses a particularly outstanding track. Still, Kamlath's first and so far last full length record is an atmospheric grower on a very strong level and leaves me wanting more. I certainly hope to hear from this international quintet in the near future.

Final Rating: 80%