The Brazilian Metal scene has representants of all Metal subgenres one can think of, and they work in a level that leaves no places for discussions. Even Doom Metal here has many classic acts working since the 90s, and one of them is THE CROSS, hailing from the city of Salvador (Bahia), here with the reissue of their EP “Requiescit in Pace Frater Noster” (originally released on 2023 and only on digital format). The band works on a trench of Doom Metal that combines influences of the past, on the vein of acts as BLACK SABBATH, TROUBLE, WITCHFINER GENERAL, but gathering many of the elegant aesthetics of acts as MY DYING BRIDE, SATURNUS, MOURNING BELOVETH and others in this trench, and with influences of early Doom Death Metal as well. It means that their music sounds fresh, new and filled with energy and personality, but oppressive and bone-crushing as well. And for Doom Metal fans (and for those with good musical taste on Metal), it’s hard to resist to their melancholic and funeral appeal.

The EP was produced, mixed and mastered by Paulo Monteiro at LFX Music Works between November 2022 and April 2023 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil (as he did the artwork as well), allowing the band to express clearly its musical ideas on the heavier and aggressive moments or in the melancholic and deeper parts. And to make things even more special than they already are, here as guests are Jochen Thurn (of BANN and SARLIC BLISS) on the vocals on “Semita Solitudinis”, Daniel Fischer (of MIDNATTSOL and SARLIC BLISS) on the keyboards and violins on “Requiescit in Pace Frater Noster”, Vinícius Campos (of HATE EMBRACE and SEEDS OF DESTINY) on the keyboards on “In Funere”, and Thomas Jensen and Brian Hansen (of SATURNUS).

The three original tracks (“Requiescit in Pace Frater Noster”, “In Funere” and “Semita Solitudinis”) are presented on the digital version, all of them depicting the band working on an elegant and oppressive outfit, filled with weight, melancholy and introspection (as Doom Metal acts usually are since the 90s). And on this version are “Elly Tales”, “The Fever Sea” (presented on the Brazilian tribute to MY DYING BRIDE) and “Within My Flesh” (coming from the Brazilian tribute to NOVEMBERS DOOM) are all on the EP “Reverecing the Eternal Icons”; but “I Love Thee” is here directly from the Brazilian tribute to SATURNUS, and all of them make things even better for the fans. And this reissue brings to the fans the first release on physical media for “Requiescit in Pace Frater Noster”.

For those addicted to Doom Metal, this reissue of “Requiescit in Pace Frater Noster” is a ‘must have’ item, and THE CROSS shows itself as a driving force for the Brazilian Doom Metal scene.