Colosalist – Two Suns
Colosalist – Two Suns
Hoggarm Music
Release Date: 09/09/25
Review by Rick Eaglestone
7/10
There are albums that arrive like whispered secrets from forgotten realms, and then there are those that crash through the gates of consciousness with the weight of ancient mountains, with Colosalist’s debut offering, “Two Suns,” falling into the latter.
The Norwegian-Czech alliance that birthed Colosalist is a meeting of minds across the Nordic and Central European traditions of Melancholic Metal craftsmanship. From the moment “From The Others” begins, it’s very clear that this is not another by-numbers Doom exercise. Instead, we are witnessing the birth of something that feels both primordial and startlingly contemporary, a sonic archaeology that unearths emotional sediments laid down over decades of human experience.
The production is restrained and understanding, and allows each element to breathe within its own space while maintaining the crushing density that Doom Metal demands. There’s a warmth here that recalls the golden era of the genre’s pioneers, yet the clarity and definition keeps things modern. It’s as if someone has taken the blueprint of early My Dying Bride and Anathema, run it through a ‘contemporary production techniques’ filter, and ended up with something that honours the past while carving its own distinct path through the undergrowth.
“Creeping Frost” immediately establishes the band’s ability to weave atmosphere and aggression into a seamless whole. The track’s opening minutes unfold like a slow-motion avalanche, each riff carrying the weight of geological time while the rhythm section provides an anchor point for the listener’s increasingly overwhelmed consciousness. The vocals here deserve mention – there’s a rawness that speaks to genuine emotion rather than performative angst, a quality that has become increasingly rare in a genre often plagued by theatrical overreach.
The album explores themes of duality and natural mysticism, but never feels forced or pretentious. Instead, it’s organic, like the band has tapped into something fundamental about humanity existing between light and shadow, hope and despair, the corporeal and the spiritual. “Visdomer” serves as perhaps the clearest expression of this thematic preoccupation, its central riff cycling through variations that mirror the eternal dance between opposing forces.
What strikes me most about “Two Suns” is its dynamics. In an era where many Doom bands mistake volume for intensity and length for profundity, Colosalist demonstrates a mature understanding of the power of restraint. “Dabrakar” uses careful attention to spacing and silence, growing emotions and allowing moments of genuine beauty to emerge from the crushing weight. The guitar work here is sophisticated, extending beyond simple riff construction, and revealing new layers with each listen. It’s like the reward for being patient and paying attention, which is something that the modern world rarely demands.
The rhythm section deserves praise here, too. The bass work, in particular, shows a deep understanding of Doom Metal’s fundamental requirement for the low-end, without falling into the trap of just rumbling. There are passages where the bass handles the melody, which takes the sound beyond simple heavy-for-the-sake-of-heavy territory.
“Die Inside Me,” the album’s lead single, is the emotional centrepiece, displaying everything that makes this release compelling. It’s almost hymn-like quality, with a sense of sacred ritual that transforms what could have been another Doom dirge into something approaching transcendence. The way the band builds tension throughout the song’s considerable runtime demonstrates a maturity that more experienced acts would envy.
“Soul Of Birds” pushes beyond traditional Doom boundaries but still maintains the core identity that makes Colosalist distinctive. The track’s middle section ventures into territory that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Primordial release, complete with Folk-influenced melodic passages, bringing in the band’s stated pagan influences without being clichéd.
The penultimate track,”Witness From Shadows”, demonstrates Colosalist’s grasp of album construction. It’s both an individual piece and part of the bigger picture. The way it builds toward the final crescendo suggests that the band’s thinking in terms of complete listening experiences rather than collections of songs.
The final track leaves you in a state of contemplative satisfaction rather than emotional exhaustion. And that’s why it’s so good – too many Doom albums make listening into an endurance test packaged as an artistic statement, but forgetting that the greatest Doom achievements have been about emotional catharsis rather than punishment. Colosalist understands this and put it into constructing their music.
“Two Suns” has arrived at an interesting moment for Doom metal. The genre has experienced a revival recently, with bands exploring different directions from the ultra-minimal to the symphonically complex. Colosalist’s approach feels refreshing, but still grounded, and demonstrates enough personality to carve out their own space. The album’s artwork and presentation are top quality too, and complement the musical content perfectly. Every element, from the track sequencing to the production choices and visual presentation, are all part of their creative vision.
For me, this album succeeds not through innovation, but through taking familiar elements and recombining them into something that feels both recognizable and refreshingly distinctive. In an era of endless sub-genres and micro-classifications, Colosalist reminds us of Doom metal’s core principles: The power of heavy music that gives us both cathartic release and contemplative space, and the ability to transport us beyond the mundane, and acknowledge darkness while pointing toward light.
“Two Suns” is a remarkable debut that establishes Colosalist as inheritors of Doom metal’s finest traditions, but suggesting exciting possibilities for the genre’s future development at the same time. This is music made by people who understand why Doom Metal matters, and who possess the technical skill and creative vision to be a big part of its continuing story.
TRACKLISTING:
01. From the Others
02. Creeping Frost
03. Visdomer
04. Dabrakar
05. Die Inside Me
06. Soul of Birds
07. No Angels at Home
08. Witness from Shadows
09. Over the Sky
LINKS:
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