Quercus is an obscure Czech avant-doom band formed in 2001 by two Czech, slightly Hasidic-looking gentlemen, Lukas Kudrna and Lord Morbivod (of the Pagan Black Metal band Trollech). It's hard to sum up the band's sound ? the guitars are reverbed out the wazoo, chimey-sounding, with very little low end evident, giving it an early Burzumesque-sounding foundation but without that annoying early Burzumesque-buzz. Thankfully, the vocals aren't anything resembling early Burzumesque, but do accompany the standard 90's UK Death/Doom growl along with clean vocals, some chilling female vox and maybe the oddest sampling I've heard in a dark metal song, that of Cudlik the cat at various frequencies. It's actually pretty freaky sounding. The fellas even delve into Prog with there style of black, proggy, doomy, avant-dreariness. This is one I spun sorta late at night about two months ago while doing some work for the 'career' job. I remember leaning wayyyy back in my Grandfather's early '60's desk chair (it's killer ? it allows me to pivot the chair way back without me falling on my ass ? that's my 'pondering' position. If the wife comes in the office and sees me leaning way back in my chair, she knows I'm deep in thought and to leave me alone or else get the evil eye). I remember thinking that this was pretty good late night, pondering fare. Pensive pondering, not the fun, care-free variety. It carried me away for a bit, especially the second track "Die Schwarze Sonne", which features clean vocals and actually a quite pleasant foray into Prog with some cool jazz chords on heavy reverb and some creative bass work. The vocals creep me out a bit, they're in German and kept thinking of Nazi Occultists up to shenanigans in cement bunkers deep beneath the Reichstag. But that's how my mind works, it's a constant freak show. The title track is good too, same jazzy-prog intro then delving into a canyons of repetitive open minor chord chimes. The last track, "Propeths, Letters, Memories" follows along a similar style, with the guitar tone a little harsher, but tempered by the vocals of the Ethel Merman of the Czech Republic, Paula Chvojova. I'm actually pretty of fond of this one. It's experimental without the bullshit, it's reigns itself in without getting too out there, too artsy-fartsy or worse... outright shitty. Postvorta sounds really like nothing I've heard before (outside of Burzum, or maybe even Sigh), it's dark without the usual infusion of low-end, it nods both to Prog and Art rock and isn't the least bit concerned with commercial impact. Truth be told, I'm more a fan of the clean vocal style, the guttural growl is wearing thin on me these days. Luckily the Kudrna/Klasterka chemistry and general musical craftiness overcomes most of the drag left by the subsonic larynx-fart. This would not be everyday listening for me ? it's not angry, hateful, Avril Lavigne or Ashlee Simpson ? but this is the stuff I'd slap on the Bose on a dark, rainy cold night. Chris Barnes / Hellride Music

This obscure Czech band was formed in 2001 by Lukas Kudrna and Lord Morbivod (who is also member of the Pagan Black Metal band Trollech). From the same year of its formation the band has been working hard to gain a deserved position in the world's Metal Underground, releasing five works (two demos, an EP and two split releases) before this brand new first full length. "Postvorta" consist in four tracks of obscure and mysterious, yet modern and quite avantgardish Doom Metal of the finest calibre. The originality and variety is a trademark of this release, even when this is undoubtedly a Doom Metal opus the flexible structures of this album are definitely an interesting and remarkable detail, just listen to the eclectic second track "Die Schwarze Sonne" a solid composition that transcends the rigid parameters of the style with intense atmospheres, unusual (sometimes quite vivid) structures and a notable and varied vocal work. Unlike the most of the Doom Metal bands, Quercus does not entirely focus the music in the crawling, dense and massive guitar riffs; this duo also puts great emphasis in the atmospheric, abstract and disturbing lead guitar lines, creating a desolated yet oneiric panorama of obscurity and isolation. The voice of Lord Morbivod is a solid element that enormously contributes with the whole band's personal and unique sound, using not only the standard Doom/Death Metal styled growls, but also including deep and emotional vocals (as he does at the entire "Die Schwarze Sonne") and even some infernal blackish vocalizations (just listen to the last minutes of the third track "Postvorta"). The drumming is also quite varied, but sounds a little more attached to the traditional Doom Metal sound, at least in contrast with the whole pretty atypical album's musicianship... With "Postvorta" Quercus has set an important precedent in the band's history; this opus is definitely a killer album, an underground jewel that will certainly delight every Doom Metal diehard over this miserable world... AP / BURNINGBLACK

Wow! Heavy metal music, that have been a while for I only listen my old metal albums dating back from the eighties. I haven't follow this genre ever since. I either didn't expect this kind of music for I know Deserted Factory for releasing industrial and noise music except their release from Dutch cult act Bunkur. Quercus is from Czech and is making a mixture between doom metal and progressive rock with some room for experiments. "Poles" start with atmospheric doom metal chords with a transparent sound something I prefer above those overproduced rock albums. Slow grinding chords driven by a slow beat and a deep grunting voice. It made me think of early Paradise Lost. Melodic interludes and repetitive riffs. This metal track rotates this way for ten minutes of pure heavy metal joy. "Poles" is melodic and atmospheric but after ten minutes it gets experimental and that is something they shouldn't have done. This really does harm to the track. There are too many elements stuffed in those eight remaining minutes. But those are good ideas for other songs. "Die Schwarze Sonne" also takes twenty minutes and is more toward progressive rock. Here Quercus is experimenting with rhythm. There are no grunts here. The atmosphere is dark and there are even some symphonic elements. This is a difficult song not for people who like straight on rock music. Doom elements I only find in the tempo this track is played in. "Postvorta" is the third track and the chorus on the guitar starts to be a bit irritating now. Again there is an experimental approach. Here I find some Black metal elements as the vocals are more screamed and there are fast guitar interruptions but the music is still slow. "Prophets, Letters, Memories" is the last track of this sixty minutes CD. Slow doom metal chords crawling like bugs. There is some melancholy which is accentuate by the female singer. I Think this release is explicit for doom fans and is definitely not for thrash or death fans. Remco / Gothtronic

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