Endonomos – Endonomos II: Enlightenment
Endonomos – Endonomos II: Enlightenment
Argonauta Records
Release Date: 27/09/2024
Running Time: 48:38
Review by Oli Gonzalez
7/10
Endonomous, an Austrian Death-Doom Metal act, are new kids on the block, relatively speaking, having announced their arrival on the scene circa 2021 with their self-titled debut. Having a super-group feel, with musicians from established acts in the region, the band are on the eve of their latest release, “Edonomos II: Enlightenment”.
I’ll be honest. I wasn’t sold on the album at first and thought it was rather average. It was on the second listen where I really began to appreciate what was on offer here, and consequently, I’d advise that it may be a slow burner for others listening to this.
The opening to ‘Inversion’ is filled with dark background synths and haunting guitar arpeggios creating an austere and intimidating atmosphere, yet one that is still darkly inviting. The vocals offer an epic feel, similar to that of Pallbearer, but featuring the heavier demonic growls in the style of Ahab. The bass is prominent and has a licence to roam, filling the mix with hypnotic grooves and fills. When all instruments are locked in to create one unified wall of uncompromisingly dense sound, it’s intense! Try to get through ‘Atheon Anarkhon’ without headbanging even a tiny bit…it’s impossible. In the same way, it’s impossible to listen to those epic lead guitar riffs and not to stand in awe at such beauty, with gorgeous tones dripping with raw emotional depth. I like this!
The drums get a cameo in ‘Resolve’, with the air being suitably shifted and the calm shattered by some cavernous deep fills! This is getting impressive. I hope things are maintained in the next track. ‘Entrapment’ adopts more of a Groove-laden approach with simple yet effective riffs played with maximum effort and heaviness. Still, I do wonder if this song drags on a little too much, and whether it really needs to be as long as it is. Much the same as what I could say about ‘Hostile’, a song featuring guest vocals from Ahab’s Daniel Droste. ‘Will we see any difference in compositional approach in ‘Kafir Qal’a’?’ is the question. Similarly to the rest of the album, this represents some of the great things about Doom Metal; the heavy minimalistic riffs with epic guitar tones, solid neck snapping grooves and gnarly vocals. Sadly, it represents the more negative side of Doom too; repetition and ideas progressing too slowly.
Maybe the pacing is a little too slow at times. There’s an art to building tension and suspense, and I think this is something the band would need to work on in future releases as some sections just feel a little too drawn out and progress too slowly, especially in today’s fast food style of music where everything needs to be delivered as fast as possible. Also, the production feels a little too raw at times, and whilst the lead guitar riffs shine majestically, I do wonder if the other instruments are left behind on occasion. These are all very much fixable issues though, making me optimistic for a subsequent release that will be of a much higher standard.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Inversion
02. Atheon Anarkhon
03. Resolve
04. Entrapment
05. Hostile
06. Kafir Qal’a
LINE UP:
Lukas – Bass, Vocals
Phillip – Guitars
Christoph – Guitars
Marius – Drums
LINKS:
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