After six years of existence Canadian Doom Metallers from FUNERAL CIRCLE are finally releasing their debut album through Shadow Kingdom Records.

I have read great reviews about this album with one hailing this as one of the best doom releases of the year, this is a bold statement considering we had great releases in the Doom Metal genre this year, but unfortunately I will have to disagree with this statement even though their self-titled release shows great potential it doesn't quite deliver to me.

"Funeral Circle" features crystal clear production that makes all instruments sound perfect which is great since is in the quality of the crushing riffs and the beautiful solos that lays the strength for this album, they help set the bleak tone required to convey that epic sense that reminded me a lot of CANDLEMASS and SOLITUDE AETURNUS, the quality of the writing it is something that should be mentioned as well, the main problem for me was the vocals that don't quite fit in the atmosphere of the songs, it lacks that certain epic feel made famous by Johan Langquist, Messiah Marcolin and Mik Mentor.

In conclusion I can honestly say that FUNERAL CIRCLE has a lot of potential, the strength of their materials and abilities is undeniable but the main problem lies on the quality of the vocals it doesn't have the epic feel necessary to express what the songs truly require.