My mate Matt contends that it is hardly surprising that the birth of heavy metal (and, by extension, doom metal) was conceived in the formerly industrial heartland of Birmingham. He reckons that people from that part of the world have a lot to be pissed off at. Well, I’ve had the very great privilege of visiting that part of the world on many occasions, and I think it’s absolutely brilliant. You want depressing? Try living in the Fens – that’d be enough for anyone to start churning out grief-ridden, minimalist doom...
All of which is a rather clumsy way of introducing the Birmingham based doom of I am Colossus, a four piece practicing the dark arts of doom. With the sepia tones of the CD liner (and, as a quick aside, a very well designed booklet it is too), this release has a palpable atmosphere from even before the shiny disc is played on your stereo of choice. Strangely, this was recorded back in August 2008, though there isn’t really any explanation of why it hasn’t seen the light of day until now, which is a shame as the band have been sitting on a very accomplished album that might have been making some real ripples in the doom scene had it been released earlier.
This is some extremely heavy, emotional doom. Now, I know what you’re thinking – “emotional doom? Christ, not more My Dying Bride aping doom with laced handkerchief inspired emo-tears”. Luckily, that is not the faux emotion I am speaking of. This is doom based on the emotions of frustration and despair, and providing the soundtrack to punishment and retribution. While undeniably much, much heavier than traditional doom, and having clear anchors in modern forebears, (most notably in the likes of Nausea and Grief, though also taking in hefty dollops of Sabbath and Crowbar), I am Colossus are at the very edge of what might be considered to be funeral doom. Personally, I can often find the ultra-leaden pace of funeral doom to be testing, though I am Colossus have enough pace and dynamism in their music to avoid the twin pitfalls of skull-crushing tedium and sameness that pervades the scene.
“In the Name of the Father” probably best illustrates the music to be found here. With a relentless, sombre and crushing introduction of carefully balanced roughly hewn guitar work and effective drum work, there is a constant build up of pressure and tension. It conjures mental images of life spiralling out of control, a slightly dizzying, nauseating feeling in the pit of the stomach and sense of helplessness. Elsewhere, on the monolithic opener ...erm...aptly titled Monolithic, the sense of helplessness is beautifully demonstrated by the tolling, grinding guitars and the hoarse, desperate vocals. The production is powerful and compelling, providing the perfect balance between the majesty of the gnarled guitar and bass work, with the clarity and drive behind the drum work and vocals.
This then is a great debut that propels I am Colossus into the big leagues of the British doom underground with great aplomb. If you feel the need for an album to reflect the frustration, misery and sheer unrelenting crapness of modern life, come and take a listen to I A C – it’s a cathartic experience, I promise.
http://www.myspace.com/iamcolossus
