Argus – Boldly Stride The Doomed

site | label | buy

Another of the current crop of young doom bands who often seem conspicuously absent from the concert calendar, Argus are following up their 2009 self-titled debut album on Shadow Kingdom with a new album this time on Spain’s Cruz Del Sur Music. Similar in a sense to Realmbuilder‘s 2010 effort Summon The Stone Throwers, although consistenly considered in the doom metal category by themselves, their label and their fans, there’s very little about the music to warrant that tag. Indeed some songs, like the album’s title track, Durendal, and Fading Silver Light have main riffs and rhythms which owe more to Iron Maiden than they do Candlemass. And others to bands like or were it not for Butch Balich’s Rob Lowe-esque voice. This classic metal influence is acknowledged in most of the band’s literature, but in the case of most of the songs here, it’s the only influence besides a little more distortion on the two guitars. Some tracks do offer moments of genuine doom. 42-7-29 and especially eleven-minute epic Piece of Your Smile have the right mood, tone and riffs to be genuine doom contenders, and this is where Argus really shine. They are actually very good at all that they do, and as a varied metal album Boldly Stride The Doomed is excellent. As a doom album it is lacking and potential listeners need to be sure about what it is they want from the album before they buy it. Or just don’t go in with any preconceptions at all. Without them what Boldly Stride The Doomed will deliver is nine tracks of killer riffs and balls-out vocals, culminating in one final track of sombre introspection. Fans looking for out and out doom who are not interested in getting other styles into the bargain should look elsewhere.

Written by Andy Lye
More: 2011, Albums, Doom Metal, Quick.Play Reviews, Argus