Nymf – Nymf

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Karlshamn, Sweden based stoner/doom metal outfit Nymf formed in 2007 and this self-titled effort is their commercial debut packed with Candlemass riffs and vocals strikingly reminiscent of Hellfueled‘s Andy Alkman or Mustasch‘s Ralf Gyllenhammar. Each song incorporates both doom and stoner riffing and they move between the two with ease and style, but where they fall down is when they replace the normal vocals, which suit the riffing style perfectly, with unncessary growled vocals, which don’t. They are used fleetingly and to good effects for most songs, but more often on Dark Autumn’s Fire, which weakens what is otherwise a great song with plenty of riffs. Mustasch would probably be Nymf’s closest stylistic match, which means they might find it difficult to break into the niche their countrymen have carved for themselves, but with the stronger stoner/doom angle they might be able to tap into a different section of the metal fan-base. Especially when they mix in excellent clean/acoustic passages like the one in Forsaken, complete with a little Glenn Danzig in the vocals, and the intro to Man’s End. Nymf would be a five-star album if it weren’t for the misplaced use of harsh vocals on Dark Autumn’s Fire.

Written by Andy Lye
More: 2010, Albums, Doom Metal, Quick.Play Reviews, Stoner, Nymf