ALBUM REVIEW: DOOL - "Here Now, There Then"

By: Ben Fitts


Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 17/02/2017
Label: Prophecy Productions

It is rare that an album is able to make one completely forget about their real world surroundings and bring them somewhere else entirely.  “Here Now, There Then” is an otherworldly brew of eeriness, effective hooks and nefarious rock and roll.  It is the soundtrack of a lost soul stumbling upon something evil and long forgotten, only to find it wide awake and waiting.

 

“Here Now, There Then” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Vantablack
2. Golden Serpents
3. Words On Paper
4. In Her Darkest Hour
5. Oweynagat
6. The Alpha
7. The Death Of Love
8. She Goat

The Review:

It is rare that an album is able to make one completely forget about their real world surroundings and bring them somewhere else entirely. On “Here Now, There Then”, that somewhere else is ancient, otherworldly, mystic and evil. Gloomy guitar chimes are interwoven with Ryanne van Dorst’s haunting vocals and a cryptic atmosphere. “Here Now, There Then” is the soundtrack of a lost soul stumbling upon something evil and long forgotten, only to find it wide awake and waiting.

The creators of this somewhere else are Dutch dark rock quintet DOOL.Given the natural ease with which DOOL administer their wicked mysticism, it might seem surprising at first that “Here Now, There Then” is actually the group’s first album. But DOOL’sobvious experience is explained, as their line-up boast membership in the occult rock outfit The Devil’s Blood, as well as the bands Goldand The New Media.

DOOL’s sound is in a similar vein to that of The Devil’s Blood (which featured both DOOL bassist Job van de Zande and drummer Micha Haring), and fans of The Devil’s Blood are sure to be satisfied with their rhythm section’s new project.  Both groups have a knack for crafting dreary but ridiculously catchy hooks, filled with arcane lyricism and bubble with witchy personality. But despite retaining many of the most lovable qualities oftheir former band, on “Here Now, There Then”, DOOL demonstrate they are very much their own band.

“Here Now, There Then” is packed full of headbangable guitar riffing, driving rhythms and nods to classic metal and doom that were not prevalent in the generally softer recordings by The Devil’s Blood. Although a rock band first, DOOL are not afraid to wander over the line where dark psychedelia gives way to heavy metal, as evidenced by tracks such as “The Alpha”, “Words On Paper” and “She-Goat”. Conversely, DOOL also demonstrate their ability to craft mellower sounds throughout the album, most notably on “The Death Of Love”. The standout track on the album is perhaps its second song, “Golden Serpents”. Striking the perfect balance between DOOL’s softer moments and their penchant for sinister heaviness, “Golden Serpents” features superbly crafted melodies, ghostly tones, powerful dynamics and general themes of the occult in abundance.  The blend of hooks and evil found on “Golden Serpents” will likely appeal to fans of Swedish breakout stars Ghost, and for good reason.

“Here Now, There Then” is an otherworldly brew of eeriness, effective hooks and nefarious rock and roll.  

 

“Here Now, There Then” is available preorder/buy here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook