Khemmis have been building their career kind of under the radar, but now with a Nuclear Blast contract and this fine new album, they may get the attention they deserve. Khemmis are a band with a lot of Trad Metal in their style, along with the threads of Candlemass and especially Solitude Aeturnus that you would expect. They blend their influences into a sound that is familiar without being too derivative, and strong performances highlight strong compositions. As always, the vocals of guitarist Phil Pendergast are a highlight, as he has a clear, strong tenor reminiscent of Heri Joensen from Tyr, and he uses it to craft strong melodies that hold these songs together. Here and there some raspy vocals crop up, and I wish they left those out, as they don’t add anything.

A lot of times the first album a band makes on a larger label is weaker, but this time Khemmis have produced what I think may be their best work right when they are getting more attention. A really strong Doom album.