Oh Doom Metal, why are you always the pristine bug in the world of Heavy Metal music? Anyone who knows me will get what I mean when I say this as me and Doom Metal have never really gotten along as I dunno, I've never really had a liking for it but that's just me. I know there are those who do like it and you know that's fair enough but for me, it's a genre I'll never really get into. I will of course be happy with listening to something new from the genre as you never know, one day I could find one that I may partially like and enjoy. Anyway, with all that said, let's get onto today's review which is the debut from a new Doom/Heavy Metal group called MIRROR.

Formed in 2014, this group of Occult Heavy Metal musicians is made up of members of the bands SATAN'S WRATH and REPULSION. The group is led by the bassist of the former mentioned band, who got together with a London-based producer and drummer, to help make their vision of writing songs, that encompasses a combination of hard-rock and proto-metal, with tasteful song-writing musicianship.

During the song-writing process they found themselves two guitarists and a vocalist to make the group complete. The groups anticipated self titled debut album, has been out for a month since November 2015 so it's better late then never, as it's time for me to see what I make of the music made by this transatlantic union partnership.

Clocking in at around 39 minutes across 9 songs, the debut from this transnational Doom/Heavy Metal quintet opens up with a song that shares the same name as both the band and the album and closes off with the song "Elysian" along with 7 others in between such as "Year Of The Red Moon", "Madness And Magik" and "Cloak Of A Thousand Secrets".

If there's one thing I'll give this album a little bit of credit for is combining elements of both Heavy Metal, a genre I've always had a liking for and Doom Metal which as many people know is a genre I've never really cared much for, while balancing out the two to try and make each as diverse as possible to make the music fresh and unique which it kind of manages to do.

That's where the praise ends I'm afraid as there are a few things about this album which bug me. I guess I'll start with the production as to me it sounds cheap and yes I get it was done that way to try and match the overall tone and feel of Doom Metal but for something that was released in the modern age that is no excuse. Also, the performance, as enjoyable as it can sometimes be depending on the song, sounds a little off to me in a few places.

The melodies are by no means messy as they do sound mildly enjoyable depending on the song but, I don't know, they're lacking a certain something to try and pull a person who has never liked Doom Metal out of their shell encouraging them to like the genre and give it a chance.

I know that may sound like a lame explanation but if you're like me then you'll get what I mean as if you've never been a fan of Doom Metal then you'll understand what I'm trying to say. If you don't then I'll simplify it by saying that the overall feel and tone of the performance feels very hit or miss to me with the latter occurring the most as a mixture of the music, the performance and the vocals doesn't really wow me that much leading to some moments where I either feel unimpressed or confused or both.

Bottom line, the debut album from MIRROR is something that may not appeal to someone like me who has never really been fond of Doom Metal but avid fans of the genre may like it as it does have ingredients and elements they will enjoy but the pickiest of listeners and music fans may struggle to find enjoyment in this. I'll give it points for trying to be different but overall, it didn't really wow or impress me as a whole.