KVITY ZNEDOLENYKH BEREHIV is a Doom Metal solo project based in Kyiv, Ukraine. Its first demo, "Beyond The Horizon of Dreams," was released earlier this year in cd form.

Despite it being labeled a "demo", there's nothing demo-like about the sound quality of this release. Each and every note is clearly audible in the mix, which is important to the band's approach. Their music relies on a combination of powerful guitars and ambient effects, so the clarity of the recording makes a big difference. The band's brand of doom is melodic and visceral, yet understated. Some parts have a bit of a Funeral Doom vibe to them, as in "In The Arms (Still Water)", but the tone of the album isn't completely bleak, necessarily. On "If The Stars...", the gentle harmony lines and airy keyboards create a feeling that is almost of contemplating rather than hopelessness. Both tracks transition smoothly between sections/movements, but their consistent tempos and approaches leave little room for the songs to build up to any sort of apex. Rather, the music tends to ebb and flow like tides on a shore, and indeed, there is something of a calming quality to it despite the presence of Dmytro Pryymak's coarse vocals.

With the length, and less-than-direct nature of the songs, "Beyond The Horizon of Dreams" probably won't appeal to many non-Doom Metal fans; it's still a solid effort in its own right. The songs carry a potent level of emotion and heaviness, and are generally well written and performed. If you are in to Doom of the melodic and/or gloomy variety, I'd suggest checking it out.<