Sorrows Path
Doom Philosophy
Iron Shield Records
2014
It’s not an everyday phenomenon to see a band’s name mirroring its history. Sorrows Path is a band that has suffered from fate as they have experienced some very dark, sorrowful and sad periods throughout their career so far. Nonetheless, they have found the courage & the strength to stand on their feet and shout out loud that they’re here, strong and determined to go all the way till the end. I surely admire this band’s inner strength and their willpower not to give up at any point.
Sorrows Path is well-known in the Greek metal scene, but for those who might not have come across them to date I must say that the band started out in 1993! What I mean is that they have been around for more than 20 (!) years and “Doom Philosophy” is their sophomore release! That’s something that you do not see quite often, right?! Their debut, “The Rough Path of Nihilism” was released in 2010.
Sorrows Path is true to the doom metal roots. As the title suggests, doom metal is not just a music genre for them but a certain philosophy and way of life. Faster than the average doom metal bands and “slower” than the regular heavy/power metal ones… they stand right in the middle having created a rather personal sound as their trademark in a way. One can say they follow the Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus school… but seriously this a case where the music tags play a secondary role and all that matters is the music itself; Sorrows Path do follow that way. They mind the music and not the metal genres.
“Doom Philosophy” features some very special guest appearances. Snowy Shaw (Kind Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Therion, Notre Dame, Mad Architect, etc.) is the guest vocalist on “Everything Can Change” and with his “theatrical” performance a very dramatic tone to the song is added. Edgar Rivera (Solitude Aeturnus) contributes a guitar solo on “Tragedy”. Furthermore, Vangelis Yalamas (Fragile Vastness) who has done the production, the mixing and the mastering on the album, has also played the bass on “Damned (O)Fish/L.S.D. (Life Sexuality Death)!?...”, the classical guitar solo on “The King With a Crown of Thorns” along with the synth and the backing vocals on all tracks. Lefteris Moros (Null‘O’Zero) has played the drums on “Damned (O)Fish/L.S.D. (Life Sexuality Death)!?...” too. Katerina Nikoloudi sings on “A Dance with the Dead” & “Everything Can Change” and Barbara Michaloutsou gives the “spoken words” on “Darkness”. The production, as I mentioned later, which has been delivered by Vangelis at Fragile Studios, is great, full and heavy. One of the best productions that has come out of a Greek studio in the last years.
“Doom Philosophy” is based on the heavy guitar riffs (Kostas and Giannis) and on Angelos’ (vocals) “theatrical” performances. He does not only sing but it’s like he’s playing an “inner role” on every track. This ain’t just another doom metal album. It respects its doom metal roots but it also features several different and well-blended metal genres in it. Only by listening to it thoroughly and reading the lyrics will you be able to comprehend its esoteric doomy & sorrowful philosophy…
Sorrows Path is well-known in the Greek metal scene, but for those who might not have come across them to date I must say that the band started out in 1993! What I mean is that they have been around for more than 20 (!) years and “Doom Philosophy” is their sophomore release! That’s something that you do not see quite often, right?! Their debut, “The Rough Path of Nihilism” was released in 2010.
Sorrows Path is true to the doom metal roots. As the title suggests, doom metal is not just a music genre for them but a certain philosophy and way of life. Faster than the average doom metal bands and “slower” than the regular heavy/power metal ones… they stand right in the middle having created a rather personal sound as their trademark in a way. One can say they follow the Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus school… but seriously this a case where the music tags play a secondary role and all that matters is the music itself; Sorrows Path do follow that way. They mind the music and not the metal genres.
“Doom Philosophy” features some very special guest appearances. Snowy Shaw (Kind Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Therion, Notre Dame, Mad Architect, etc.) is the guest vocalist on “Everything Can Change” and with his “theatrical” performance a very dramatic tone to the song is added. Edgar Rivera (Solitude Aeturnus) contributes a guitar solo on “Tragedy”. Furthermore, Vangelis Yalamas (Fragile Vastness) who has done the production, the mixing and the mastering on the album, has also played the bass on “Damned (O)Fish/L.S.D. (Life Sexuality Death)!?...”, the classical guitar solo on “The King With a Crown of Thorns” along with the synth and the backing vocals on all tracks. Lefteris Moros (Null‘O’Zero) has played the drums on “Damned (O)Fish/L.S.D. (Life Sexuality Death)!?...” too. Katerina Nikoloudi sings on “A Dance with the Dead” & “Everything Can Change” and Barbara Michaloutsou gives the “spoken words” on “Darkness”. The production, as I mentioned later, which has been delivered by Vangelis at Fragile Studios, is great, full and heavy. One of the best productions that has come out of a Greek studio in the last years.
“Doom Philosophy” is based on the heavy guitar riffs (Kostas and Giannis) and on Angelos’ (vocals) “theatrical” performances. He does not only sing but it’s like he’s playing an “inner role” on every track. This ain’t just another doom metal album. It respects its doom metal roots but it also features several different and well-blended metal genres in it. Only by listening to it thoroughly and reading the lyrics will you be able to comprehend its esoteric doomy & sorrowful philosophy…