Not every discussion in favor of religious matters is really pro of it in full extent. Every now and then one can wonder if what has been promised by prophets, gospels and sorts of preachers, meaning the delights of heaven for the true believers and pure worshipers, is actually true. I guess that only those who are firmly against express their anguish towards these kinds of promises, but this is nothing new. Broadening my thought patterns regarding the issue, I listened to the sophomore album of the anonymous Polish Doom Metal band named EVANGELIST that shared their passion for their Christian religion and their beliefs, yet, in comparison to various other pro Christian Metal bands, envisaged on the notion that the future for mankind, regarding the arrival to gates of heaven after Death or the world's end, isn't guaranteed and it might be the other way around. Through their new album, "Doominicanes", via Doomentia Records, EVANGELIST proclaim the nostalgia of the classic depth of Doom Metal, following the mid to late 80s of the heaviness and gloomy snuffles of CANDLEMASS, and being true to their faith and comprehension of Christian history.

Generally, there isn't anything musically genius about "Doominicanes", a shortlist of the simplest riffing and rhythms, mostly open power chords. Nothing false about that of course, yet a little zest would have bettered the band's efforts. On the other hand, and I am thinking out loud right this instant, it appeared that the vocals, and its preaching, were the main course of the entire release other than guitaring, thus differentiating EVANGELIST's musical perspective from CANDLEMASS's that amassed a variety and riffs and song arrangements other than the plain slow tempo thuds. In comparison to the rhythm section, the lead guitar soloing seemed quite intricate and well written, a fine fusion of late 70s Hard Rock thrills and traditional Metal instigations, almost British. Those melodic displays of grandeur profoundly overshadowed the modest nature of the rhythm guitar riffs. All in all, EVANGELIST' sense of straightforwardness virtually won me over, at least this time around. Their material is a straight line flow, no trends, no implementation of out of Metal elements, just honest Doom.

"Militis Fidelis Deus", riding with the crusaders, as if being a member of the Templar's order, on the first crusade to Jerusalem, displayed as an historical epic hymn of an ancient victory. The main riff, quite catchy and enchanting, had me going on Tony Martin's era with BLACK SABBATH, something of the "Tyr" album. The harmonic vocals on the chorus, which on its own was intense, seemed to have proved the dedication of this band to their faith and beliefs. I would have shortened the track at least for just a bit, as the last two minutes sounded fruitless with only a line of bass echoing, but why trouble about it now? "Deadspeak", a chiding cold graveyard feel, another harmonic tone possibly revealing the voice of those not around anymore. In overall it sounded like a gloom requiem, yet with a spectacular chorus and tremendous soloing effort. The biblical oriented "Blood Curse", the opener of the gates to the hallowed ground, sent me back years ago to the first time I listened to "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus", I almost forgot the true essence and power of true Doom Metal, and how lethal its force is. The music is as I described earlier, simple and undemanding, yet the singing took its hold. In a nutshell, trust your faith if you are a believer, but always bear the thought that it might as well be that the judgment of heaven isn't waiting across the river. As for EVANGELIST, we will definitely meet again.