By: Tordah

Posted: Nov 6, 2005

Anyone up for a good dose of apocalyptic funeral doom? Then look no further. "Tides Of Awakening" is Tyranny's second release after the debut EP "Bleak Vistae". This time we're talking about a full-length album stretching over 60 mins. Those who like the band from before will not be disappointed.

Tyranny has managed to create an enormous atmosphere. Words like crushing, apocalyptic, mauling, monstrous and frightening are good words for describing the music that comes out through my speakers. "Tides Of Awakening" is undoubtedly the perfect soundtrack for the apocalypse. When I listen to the album I get the images of a world in flames, completely destroyed and barren. A world destroyed by nuclear wars now stands in ruins and nobody is alive. Nothing has survived. Humankind has met its destiny. Upon the war-torn shape of cold earth I stand and witness this all. Tyranny and greed were the catalysts that become mankind's fall.

The music is ultra-slow and very ambient-like. Much more so than on "Bleak Vistae". The drums are pounding along in the background, giving room for the overly distorted guitars and demonic growling. The keyboard/sound-effects are very creepy and flow seamlessly in and out of focus. Production-wise it couldn't have been any better than this. The songs are all very powerful and crushing. The weakness is that the music can become quite repetitive. More breaks from the continuous mauling would've have been welcomed. As it is now the album feels like it's all just one huge and long track that you're listening to. 'Entreaties To The Primaeval Chaos' is the only track that is notably different from the others. I can't describe with words what I imagine when I listen to that track but it's definitely among the most terrifying pieces of “music” that I've ever listened to. An impressive and unexpected way of ending the album.

Tyranny has done it again and recorded a very strong album. Funeral doom is not music you can listen through in a hurry. Especially not Tyranny which are even more hard to grasp than the average funeral doom act. It took a few concentrated spins before the album finally caught on me. "Tides Of Awakening" is not an album you listen to every day. Not even once a week. It's one of those albums you pull out once in a while when you're in the mood for it and can fully appreciate the torturous soundscapes. If you're a fan of doom metal then this album should definitely be in your collection. One of the top albums for doom metal this year.

Rating: 8,5/10

Print