UK Occult/Doom/whatever-you-want-to-call-them outfit ALUNAH have been making some waves over the last 4 years, dropping a veritable meteor in the ocean with their late 2014 release, "Awakening The Forest". In summary, I would describe it using 5 simple words - "heavy music for the soul" - because, damn right, it's stupendously heavy, but also indescribably soul-soothing, much like their stylistic US counterparts from the states, WINDHAND.

"Bricket Wood Coven" is a decent choice for a scene setter; this is the track I would put new fans onto, who have never had the ALUNAH experience. The initial riff, which drones on for half the track, alongside the eerie vocal performance, puts you to sleep; subtle, wistful changes in chords and melodies guide your dreams. "Heavy Bough", the album's single, is bumped up a few notches to a SABBATH'ian pace of a psychedelic mix of Blues and Heavy Metal; easily my favourite track on the album, with the riffs carrying a strong presence of grooves, and greater emphasis placed on the vocals. "Awakening The Forest" starts to fly the album's colours, and hints at darkly atmospheres to come, melancholic chords abound.

"The Mask Of Herne", I feel, does not compare to the previous tracks and comes across, for the most part, as uninspired and uneventful, the incorporation of mournful lead guitar and vocal work barely managing to save it; in fact, it contains some of the best melodic work on the record, if not for a comparitively short period of time. "Scourge And The Kiss" is a welcomed breath of fresh air, the meaty bass groove easily sufficient to pique my interest. And the riffs, oh mama, the riffs; catchy, heavy, infectious and groovy. "The Summerland", the longest track on the album, seems to drag on for an age; for the most part, the track delights one for the duration with a splendid selection of riffs and atmospherics, but eventually spirals out into monotony.

As far as Doom and it's innumerable variations go, "Awakening The Forest" is a decent album, perhaps even a great album, especially for diehard doom fans, though general fans of metal may find themselves deterred by the occasional monotony.