Funerary Bell – Graveyard Séance – EP Review

Source // metal-archives.com

A follow-up to 2004’s well received full-length debut The Coven, Finland’s Funerary Bell have dialled down the nihilistic necroticism in favour of further exploring occult-doom – and classic Metal influences – within a Black Metal framework.

In all fairness, Graveyard Séance‘s 2 tracks barely even qualify as Black Metal save for vocals that recall the genre’s original early 90’s incarnations. Instead, Funerary Bell tap into a heady mix of en-vogue Occult Rock, early-Doom Metal’s lumbering heaviosity, 70’s Rock groove and gravitas and a steady-tempo of classic riffing that would have felt right at home on a Thin Lizzy record were it not for the occasional blast-beats, deep growls, shrill screams and slightly chilly (but we’re not in icy tundra territory here) funeral fog of Black Metal’s forefathers.

A fairly unique sound is at work here, accomplished songwriting and attention-holding atmospherics making for a consistently enthralling EP.  With a full-length album in the works, Funerary Bell could toll their own arrival in formidable style if they continue with Graveyard Séance‘s morbid malevolence and mysticism. 8/10