Dautha

BRETHREN OF THE BLACK SOIL SWEDISH VETERANS COMBINE FORCES FOR A FOLK/DOOM EPIC The brainchild of former Griftegård and The Doomsday Cult guitarist Ola Blomkvist, Dautha sees him pair with Scar Symmetry frontman Lars Palmqvist to explore the intertwined themes of spirituality and mortality – this time in the context of the Middle Ages. ‘Memento Mori!’ (‘Remember that you must die’) declares the debut album’s opening track, Hodie Mihi, Cras Tibi. The centre- piece is The Children’s Crusade. After its delicate introduction of all lingering angelic choirs, it takes on shades of both vintage prog and Swedish folk, as the 12-minute epic depicts the real-life story of thousands of kids gathering in the 13th century to reclaim Jerusalem, only to be sold as slaves or die in a horrendous shipwreck. Its melding of grandeur and despair is a perfect summation for this beautifully crafted, doom laden-debut.

FOR FANS OF: YEAR OF THE GOAT, COUNT RAVEN, TRISTITIA

OLIVIER BADIN