Cursed Coven ‎"Execranda Gentilitas Ibi Veneraretur" CD

Doom of a metal band from Poland. Original composed songs, most of them in slow tempos typical of doom metal. Raw sound.

The Ritual Productions is a label that among fans is mainly known for its black metal releases. This time they surprised me by presenting “Execranda Gentilitas Ibi Veneraretur”, the debut album by the Polish doom metal outfit Cursed Coven. This band has been founded in 2015 and has produced a few EPs and splits before coming up with this full length. Like most doom albums this one creates a very dense mood, starting with the mysterious cover artwork and also reflected in the stoic and ritualistic sound.
Like often the case when it comes to doom metal this record does not always follow a simple pop song formula consisting of the traditional verse-bridge-chorus parts. The songs feature arrangements that flow and evolve as each riff closes. Each transition marks an indistinguishable final chapter in a song segment. This album is mostly comprised of pieces, not standard songs. However, it is the way how those pieces have been put together that makes this album stand out from most of its peers.
The lead guitar harmonies on this record are cleverly implemented and offer hints of melody into an otherwise atonal framework. The main themes have a quite melancholic and mysterious vibe, lending the record a dark and slightly depressive nature. The stoic patterns are having a very hypnotical effect on the listener, dragging him deeper into the void. Of course the tempo is quite slow, so anyone looking for up-tempo parts should look elsewhere. There are no blast-beat sections or tremolo attacks, just the crawling main chord, supported by the spare use of drums and cymbals.
The whole record can be seen like a natural synthesis of mournful sounds and disparate styles all combined in one bold, enlightened display of unbound creativity. In some way it feels more like a surreal journey to places dark and unknown. That being said the few sections where things get a bit faster help to ramp up the intensity and the diversity.
The production is raw yet diversified sounding at the same time. The mix is well balanced with the heaviness and the more complex melodic elements both having got enough room to breathe. The bass is audible as well and in combination with the commanding yet emotional vocal work “Execranda Gentilitas Ibi Veneraretur” is a nice example of doom metal and should be consumed under the right circumstances to fully unfold its dark power.

Sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...