Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: HADAL; signed via Planet K Records, hailing from Italian grounds - performing Doom/Death Metal - on their sophomore album entitled: "December" (released December 5th, 2020).

Since formation in 2009; the quintet in question have 2 Demos entitled: "Dark Water" (released November 1st, 2012) along with "The Obscure I" (released November 1st, 2014) ...and 2 full-length albums entitled "Painful Shadow" (released March 22nd, 2017) along with this here second offering entitled: "December". 9 tracks ranging at around 48:09; HADAL arrange an intricately designed formula on some heavy-hitting Doom/Death Metal amalgamations.

Opening up with this melancholic yet rompy remedy of blackened ambience, haunting eeriness perpetuates this foggy aesthetic in gloomy doom machinations. The titular track distils a foreboding atmosphere but implements a gnarly element in harmonic catharsis. Cold, and dark but desolate resonance showcases this other-worldly presence on sorrowful melodies & poignant rhythms while maintaining weighty with yet powerful rifts that spellbinds you with mesmerising effects. Focusing on the bleak and mournful solitude of the last month of the year, the lush hymns of solace and intriguing enticement brings you this unearthing post-Black Metal merger where the songwriting musicianship articulates an everlasting boundary on uniquely versatile vehemence & profusely robust systematics on organic substance while this ritualistic sense triggers a calming but impactful essense on majestic haze.

Consisting of Alberto on vocals, the frontman excels at an immersive foundation on borderline finesse and a finely crafted attribute on clean cords that utilize this solid singing stability which stems from high-pitched yells & then sometimes gnarly growls shout with raspy throatiness with screamy perseverance. "My River" creates a dexterously dynamic virtuosity on quintessential maelstrom spectrums which captures daunting conundrums in sombre yet mythical vibes. Twin guitar duo Frank (on lead guitar & back vocals) & Max (on rhythm) execute a gritty fabrication on vibrantly ominous pursuits that strike with tight shreds while jarring patterns flow into a blistering outrè on razor-sharp panache, with this monolithic persistence on seamless tempos that lacerate with killer momentum that manifests with wondrously salubrious symphonies on deadly distinctions and distinguished tribulations.

"Red Again" revolves with this sulphurous synthesis on rampant yet meaty ramifications that portray technical orchestrations on some meticulous rhythms that scour with some savage yet sinister presences while an intense harmony intrudes eardrums with this slab of èclatful euphony but mellow vibes transition this intertwining elegancy in crunchy catchiness & riveting remedy on a progressive scale. Audible bassist Teo (also on backing vocals) injects an infectiously venomous rumble of some neat yet reverberating thumpiness, while swampy smotherings of blackened Death Metal malice unleashes this rompy revolution on volatile variety with strong performances that will keep one on the edge of their seat with feets tapping in no time. Shrieking rips orchestrates tuneful snares with constructive, but synergetic fidelity.

"Dark Water" conjures up this perplexing introduction, as forestry waters unearth this mystique of sublime desolation in foggy landscapes; until a trembling quiver on some marvellous vibrato quantums leaps with steely precision & a exquisite elan in flourishing vigour with versatile prestige. Stompy powerhouse pummeller Daniele hammers the set with pounding slams, serving with prodigious experimentation in hybrid grinds that will verve with sturdy thuds & shivering shakes on quavering vibration, especially in the maddening  grooves of "The Obscure I". Conceptual solitude shrouds speakers within this stark sorrow of mournful misery, making one feel isolated with this remoteness of nothingness as an embedded but shapeless void within the tormenting terror this record possesses you with manages to grip one with hefty fretwork consistency that will surprise you tenfold as it did me.

"Without A Word" chisels with more fluidly polished sound production proficiencies where slow tempos uplift one with pleasing memorability, even if it's all a fuelling exile in barren but empty and grim feelings; making one transfixed with this enchanting but bewitching fascination on gnarly deadliness and brutal profanity as cords gruel with fiendish tastefulness, uniting the bruising belters with quirky yet operatic/supernatural skill very well. "Nothing Here" has a chorus section that you absolutely will not forget, "there is nothing here, nothing left but pain" where everyone culminates a converging demonstration on unforgetting epicness, efficiently drilling an everlasting disparity on captivating chunkiness that will have you chanting those words while listening into the lyrics to understand the meanings behind them...this is probably my favourite track on the record while the penultimate song "Cold Lake" offers a similar strand.

Rawly rough subjugation overtakes your soul with punchy resonance, the fundamental flexibility HADAL surges with trailblazing jumpiness while this skyrocketing overture of weighty detail which results with motoring thunder & stunning prowess yearns for lucidity. Overall concluding "December" with the finale gravitational leap entitled: "Stormcrow" which tempestuously starts off with this heavy but hostile haste of speedy riffage until more monumental firepower fables you with adventurous but ambitious clarity; I am compelled to say that this was a great discovery that made me marvel with utmost enjoyability. A gnarly contortion of embodying tactics of spectral distortion, and an uprooting separation of banishing expulsion that will have one replaying this one a few handful of times with no doubt in my mind. Definitely a worthy vortex of grandeur diversity, and contriving diligence. Certainly outdoing themselves here for a 2nd deliverance, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this archaic party. Bravo lads, great stuff for sure!