ABDULLAH

Abdullah, a curious melodic doom/goth metal band that came out of Celeveland, Ohio. I really love their self-titled first album that came out in 1999. Listening to these guys is like a refreshing blast of cold air on a hot, muggy summer day...calm, cool, and still...their music really refreshes the mind. Their first album is incredible. Imagine the heavy deep synapse melting riffs of Saint Vitus, Black Sabbath and Trouble in their prime mixed with the melodic vocals and harmonies of Faith No More and King's X. Throw in a hefty dose of Sisters of Mercy worship (yes, you heard that right...never thought that doom metal and The Sisters could co-exist, eh?) What you have is one slow paced, dark, deep, melodic, and beautiful slab of doom. These guys take their time. This album has to creep up on you. You may not like it at first, but when it hits it hits hard.

Give Abdullah a listen. Their next album, "Graveyard Poetry" abandons the goth element and goes for a more fast paced New wave of British Heavy Metal feel but keeps the psych doom element intact. Their first album is my favorite. Get it first, then if you like what you hear, pick up "Graveyard Poetry". Both have just been re-released on Meteor City.

THE SISTERS OF MERCY: FLOODLAND

The Sisters of Mercy's "Floodland"(1987) is a masterpiece of dark, adrenaline fueled rock that superbly mixes drum machine and guitars with a chilling effect. Andrew Eldritch's vocals are cold, dark, yet emotive. His lyrics are fueled by paranoia, depression, and adrenaline. The sound on this album is huge, an epic, masterful, aural portrait of a cold, bleak world. The Sisters of Mercy will not cheer you up, but their music and lyrics are something we can all relate to in the struggles of day to day existence. These guys have been pigeon holed in the gothic rock genre, one in which they really do not belong. Their sound does not fit the trappings of that particular music. All you need is an ear for dark music and you will enjoy their work. It's hard to name a favorite track, although "Lucretia my Reflection", "Dominion/Mother Russia", "This Corrosion", and the stark and fragile "Driven Like the Snow" come immediately to mind. I can't recommend this disc enough...if you haven't heard "Floodland" before you should pick it up, and if you already have this one listen to it again.

Here's "Lucretia My Reflection", "Dominion", and "This Corrosion". Enjoy.