Although I've never heard of Australis Records, it seems that they've been having a pretty good year so far. TARGET released a killer album and now ENDIMION are a whole other level of heaviness. I would also recommend readers look at the underground Death Metal scene in Chile, where Australis Records is located. You won't be disappointed.

The Doom/Death Metal band ENDIMION has released their second album, "Latmus", a heavy record with great riff-age. They have a very Doomy sound that stays true to traditional Doom Metal acts like SAINT VITUS and BLACK SABBATH mixed with a gritty, AUTOPSY-like Death Metal heaviness. The guitars go from sounding like SAINT VITUS to AUTOPSY in mere seconds.

The songwriting on this record is not bad. Though there are some parts where transitions are iffy on "Vigilia," it would be nitpicking to point them out. Otherwise, the writing is excellent. Riffs flow with ease and the music is layered. "Arpegios de viento" is a prime example of the songwriting with its sheer, kinetic energy and infectious melody.

Something that I enjoyed was the incorporation of the acoustic guitar for this album. A lot of band will use acoustic guitars, but it will only be a couple of times for intros or outros, maybe interludes. ENDIMION uses them in almost every track. There was a good presence of the acoustic guitar is interludes throughout the album. "Espectro" uses the acoustic guitar to its full advantage, making an appearance multiple times in the song including the interlude.

"Espectro" is my personal highlight of the album. The track opens as a slow but heavy song and delves into a deep, choral passage. These deep, choral vocals make multiple appearances on this record, but never are they used as effectively as on this track. The interlude is also very effective, giving a break from the traditional Doom Metal riff-age. During the interlude, there are whispered vocals that effectively create atmosphere and feeling.

The interludes on this album start with track four, but they are best on "Naos Katara" and "Orgsamos de Selene". The former features very memorable leads that give the music a very Gothic sound. The vocals are very raspy during the interlude.

As for "Orgsamos de Selene," the song starts out with a punch. It then drives its way into a breakdown where the vocalist goes raspy once again and the guitars have a dark melody. The song is nine minutes of pure Doom with unpredictable riff-age and diverse passages. The use of layers on this song is great and the riffs are memorable and remind me of AMORPHIS' early days.

Not only are the guitars doing their part, but so is the bass. Usually, the bass never stands out to me because it's always low in the mix or it's mimicking the guitar too closely. With ENDIMION, the bass is usually cloning the guitar, but during slower passages and interludes, the bass deviates from the guitar. It goes off on its own at times, and it makes the song sound like the whole band is behind it as everyone has their own unique part.

Doom/Death Metal is not my forte, but this album leaves me wanting more every time. It's like if PARADISE LOST were still Death Metal. The atmosphere created on this album is huge and the riffs are massive and oftentimes give off a Gothic edge. I can feel the Doom with this record.