This two-track demo from Indonesia’s Miasma makes a strong first impression, with both songs proving to be heavy, highly dynamic, and packed with catchy hooks that will have you nodding along. The overall vibe sits firmly within the first wave of Black Metal, yet it keeps Doom at its core.
The opening of ‘Boundless Chaos’ is frantic, immediately bringing to mind the sludgy punk vibe of bands like Kylesa and Black Tusk, but with a heavy dose of Celtic Frost at the helm. As the track progresses, it moves into more atmospheric passages that step into Watain territory, showcasing a band that truly understands how to blend styles. While previous releases leaned towards a more straightforward Doom sound, this represents a clear progression. The vocals are of a shouted, slightly crusty punk variety, while the guitars remain intense yet extremely melodic. Driving it all forward are the drums, which manage to keep the chaos on track, even when it feels as though it might career off the road at any moment.
The second track, ‘Everlasting Avenue’, maintains this established pace. It features more of those melodic guitar hooks while strictly upholding the heaviness, weaving between manic energy and a slower crescendo. Here, the vocals become more anguished before concluding with a touch of slightly off-key dissonance.
While you may have heard something similar before, there is no doubt that these guys are ones to watch. I certainly look forward to their upcoming full-length.
