MAR DE GRISES - THE TATTERDEMALION EXPRESS - FIREBOX
Mar De Grises is a surprise on several fronts. The little-known band hails from Chile, which is exotic enough, but also creates stellar doom metal on par with the wise men of the scene. The band's moniker, album title and cover artwork are quite appropriate for the act reminds me of an English band called Esoteric. The comparison is not so much about riff and rhythm, but rather the emotion the Chileans evoke in the listener. Deep and heavy or loud and crass, Mar De Grises is distraught at all times and satisfies that deep yearning during its most oppressive and most raucous moments alike. Very much like the norm in Classical music, this album expresses, pardon the pun, many emotions within each song. Be it deep in the abyss of stillness or riding the peak of explosion the band's output drips with feeling. Songs like To See Saturn Fall, Storm and Be Welcome Oh Hideous Hell are effective because the formula is the lack of one. The song is whatever the song demands and not what the song was supposed to be.
Fans of Winter, Khanate, Paramaecium, Esoteric and Pan-thy-monium will love this - or not. This band most likely does not care. - Ali "The Metallian"