At the turn of the 80s to the 90s, during the rise of the Second Wave of Death Metal, the cauldron of creation was boiling hot in a way that things that seemed impossible happened. One fine example was the birth of Doom Death Metal, because no one could think that it could be possible to fuse the slower tempos and traits of Doom Metal with the brutality of Death Metal, and it means that PARADISE LOST, MY DYING BRIDE and ANATHEMA opened new ways. Following the same path is the Australian trio GROTESQUE BLISS, here with the band’s third Demo CD, “Grotesque Bliss” (the first studio release, once the previous Demos were recorded during rehearsals).

Dredged Oblivion (recordings, mixing) and Aphotic Mote (recording of the drums, mastering) brought to the band’s music a sonority that really resembles what releases as “As the Flower Withers”, “Lost Paradise” and “Serenades” were about on their original days: putrid, funeral distorted and raw, but in a way that can be understood. It’s a good idea, besides the band could use something more actual. On this Demo, the band shows that they’re not trying to reinvent the wheel or cause a new revolution on Doom Death Metal, but just to play and create songs on the genre on the vein of its prime. No violins, keyboards or something that could make their music more palatable is heard, but’s bitter and oppressive, caustic and aggressive and full of energy. It’s good in the way it is, although some maturing is needed.

On “Grotesque Bliss”, “Bringeth Death to Life”, “Old Earth”, “God of the Godless”, “Sanguine Bebimus” and “Slipping Through the Cracks of Grief”, the fans will hear how the trio is compromised to the bones with old ways on Doom Death Metal, balancing the slow and bitter tempos of the genre with a caustic appeal on the instrumental lines and extreme low tunes on the growling vocals. It’s clear that some maturing is needed to sharp their musical ideas, but’s good by now, showing they’re on the right path, but have in mind: this is a Demo. And to show their Doom Death Metal links, here is a very good version for “I Am the Bloody Earth”, of the English kings of MY DYING BRIDE.

GROTESQUE BLISS is a very good surprise, because there are few acts doing the genre in this way today. I hope that “Grotesque Bliss” is a sign that a full-length is coming this way.