The moldy, funereal and slow aspects of Doom Metal still has a grasping force on Metal fans worldwide, in a way that there are those bands that follows the steps of those classical giants as BLACK SABBATH (the fathers of Doom Metal), TROUBLE, WITCHFINER GENERAL, SAINT VITUS and others. And from Melbourne come this quartet named LAMASSU, and they're trying their luck with their first album, "Into the Empty". The previous words above says everything: they're into a classical way of Doom Metal, using those rust slow tempos, distorted and bitter guitars and a solid (but very good) rhythmic work from bass guitar and drums. Obviously they still need to mature a bit more and oil some aspects that need to be worked (as the vocals, because in some parts they don't fit on the instrumental work), but they're on the right path, with that bitter energy that the fans of this genre love.

The works of Mike Deslandes (mixing, engineering) and Paul Fox (mastering) are very good, earning the tracks the right balance between sound clarity (because their music needs to be understood to make sense) and the funereal aggressiveness with a filthy set of instrumental tunes. Yes, it's good, but could be better in some points (as the tunes on bass guitar could be better). Musically, it's like TROUBLE in its early ages could use some elements from SOUNDGARDEN on its previous works, but always in a personal way. The funereal melodies of "Chokehold Companion" (the sinister ambiance used is really very good, but the vocals aren't fitting perfectly during the melodic moments), the oppressive and nasty melodies of "Flow" (very good guitar riffs, indeed), the contrast of Stoner Rock accessible elements with Doom Rock melodies shown on "Killing Someone", and the classical Doom Metal rusty and crude feeling that fills "Under the Watch of a Crow" are the ones that are showing a good name raising from the crypts.

Adjusting the vocals to fit in a better shape (they're good, but need to improve more), LAMASSU can become great. "Into the Empty" sounds as a promise of that.