As a big fan of CANDLEMASS, I have always wondered to myself why more bands did not take their formula of epic(us) doom(icus) metal(licus) and adapt it. Granted, there were several somewhat similar bands in the 80s (like ST. VITUS and TROUBLE, just to name two), but there aren't many bands here in the 21^st Century that emulate that style. The majority of Metal bands that do anything remotely similar are those trendy stoner-Metal bands that focus almost entirely on simple, muddy-sounding riffs and drunken yelling. Thankfully, we have a band like DOOMSHINE.

Granted, they aren't very subtle. With their band name and album title, it is pretty obvious that they want everyone to know what type of genre they play. At least they are not as derivative of all these retro-thrash bands that have been popping up. The sound can be summed up as a mix between "Ancient Dreams" and "Masters of Reality." The singer, Tim Holz, sounds a lot like Johan Langquist, with a bit of Rob Lowe and Ozzy thrown in.

Yet, despite what it may seem, DOOMSHINE is a very good band and "The Piper At The Gates Of Doom" is a fine album that borders on greatness at times. The two qualities that make this album so enjoyable are the songwriting and Tim Holz' vocals. Let us start with the vocals: they are passionate without going too over-the-top into self indulgence like Messiah Marcolin was prone to do. There are actual vocal hooks and memorable melody lines to be found. I particularly like what he does in "Rivers of January," but he is rock-solid throughout.

And now to the songwriting. There's far more to Doom Metal than just sticking some slow and mid-paced riffs together (something that stoner-metal bands often forget). The arrangements and the chemistry between the singing and guitar-playing are often just as crucial to the success of a song of this style as much as the guitar riffs are. Right away, "Sanctuary Demon" shows the brilliance of DOOMSHINE. They may not have invented this style, but they certainly know how to utilize trademarks of the genre into a totally brilliant epic. From then on, the listener is treated to song after song of crushing Doom Metal, with enough variation to keep things interesting for the most part. I sort of wish they had thrown in a few faster and/or thrashier parts a la TROUBLE in "The Tempter." Oh well.

My only complaint is that the second half of the album, while still enjoyable, is somewhat weaker than the first. Other than that, if you are a fan of classic Doom Metal, DOOMSHINE's "Piper At The Gates of Doom" is absolutely essential. This is a must-own for any Heavy Metal fan.