About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

A sinister atmosphere and harsh production add a sharp edge to the elementary doom metal sound.



Pros

• Captures the essence of doom metal, bolstered by a blackened aura.
• Ambient/noise elements tastefully done.
• Vocals sound like they were recorded in a damp tunnel.

Cons

• Vocals sound like they were recorded in a damp tunnel.
• Some may be turned off by the low production values.

Description

• Released July 21, 2009 on Relapse Records.

• Culted’s debut album.
• Culted members hail from Canada and Sweden.

Guide Review - Culted - 'Below The Thunders Of The Upper Deep'

The rise in the digital age has allowed bands to create music in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago. In the case of Culted, their brand of doom metal was the product of four musicians who have never been in the same room together. Working off of instrumental and vocal tracks traded off through e-mails, Culted was able to piece it all together for their debut album Below The Thunders Of The Upper Deep.

In a situation like this, there are many possible risks, including a lack of chemistry between band members and a choppy, pasted together feel to the album. Culted avoids both these pitfalls, as the album sounds like a collaborative effort between each member. The six tracks churn out a cold and mechanical atmosphere, crevassing its way into the listener’s temple with the accurate precision of a surgeon.

Culted balances short, taut tunes with lumbering, methodical numbers.

For every epic like the aptly-named “Tyrant Cold” and depressing “Place Of Skulls,” there's a quick blast of doom energy on the horizon in the form of “Social Control” and “Heel On Your Neck.” The band uses noise elements throughout to effectively portray a bleak landscape, while tribal percussion adds a worldly element to the monstrous “Gunburn.”

Culted takes a simplistic approach to their songwriting, with each instrument providing the bare minimum, helping to effectively execute a somber mood. The vocals will most likely caused mixed reactions. The pain in Daniel Jansson’s raspy voice is evident, but the production makes it sound like it was recorded in a tunnel.

Below The Thunders Of The Upper Deep is an effective doom album that succeeds in providing a sickening experience. For a band that hasn’t done business face-to-face, the material on their debut is very potent; a sign that, for better or worse, the digital age has changed the way music can be crafted.