The record consists of 8 tracks and over 40 minutes of an old-school atmospheric melodic doom-death metal filled with mysticism, melancholy and haunting melodies. Since their highly praised and acclaimed debut EP "Aphotic Veil" that came out 5 years ago the band evolved their sound and also brought new member onto their ranks.
The mastermind behind Exgenesis is Jari Lindholm who has already produced stunning records and is known to the underground doom metal scene as a mastermind of melancholy. Once again he joined forces with Alejandro Lotero who brings his high and low pitch growls on the table as well as he`s also involved in the songwriting process. This time Jari decided to hire Christian Netzell the former drummer of In Mourning and the current member of Cold Insight. Christian couldn't have been a better candidate for this record since the album has some progressive elements and few challenging parts that he nailed really well.
Concept-wise "Solve et Coagula" is a soundscape journey through the dreadful world of Dante Alighieri. The listeners are being dissolved and thrown into the Inferno as soon as the first track begins to play. The second half of the album is much less darker and has a more melodic doom touch. The album kicks off with a rather disturbing slow tempo song Hollowness. This track crushes us with its daunting atmosphere. The recipe of this tracks is quite simple - layers of delayed guitars, guttural vocals and fast paced drumming.
The second track Embers continues this recipe by adding few lead guitar parts but always stays stoically dark and gloomy. Where the Hope End is yet another heavy track that talks about an episode taken from The Divine Comedy and Dante`s journey through Inferno as he stands at the Gates of Hell. The track slowly builds up and culminates with a great outro where you could hear guest vocals from Alessandro Sforza, Francesca Tassini, Remberto Gonzalez reciting in both Italian and Spanish the verse "Lasciate ogni speranza, voi ch’entrate." (Abandon hope all ye who enter here)
Truth is a progressive doom track that reminded me a bit of In Mourning. It`s a solid track that would resonate with many doom metal fans. It`s also may be the heaviest track on this record since the second half of the album has more cleaner and melodic tone.
Solve is an instrumental track that features Jari Lindholm`s trademark clean and lead guitars. It`s very soothing and calming song that takes us out from the Inferno and throws us right into the Purgatory. This songs will inevitably remind you of Enshine, another wonderful doom side-project of Jari.
Caugula is another outstanding track that opens the second part of the album. It has a big array of sounds and melodies from dynamic rhythm guitars to some flawless lead guitar parts. Solve and Caugula are my two favorite songs and possibly the most memorable tracks on the album mainly because of Jari`s mesmerizing solo and lead parts.
Intracosmos has my favorite riff on this album towards the end. I swear to god this riff at 3:23 is so empowering that it makes me want to put it on the loop and play it all day. Listen to it and you would understand.
This record has a potential to become classic in its genre and may influence other bands to pursue the same path that Jari, Alejandro and Christian trod for us. "Solve et Coagula" is a pure underground gem and stands proud among other solid doom metal releases this year. So go listen and "Admire the cosmic revelation...":
The album is released through Rain Without End Records on May 15, 2020. Get your copy at:
https://shop.naturmacht.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=69_126
https://naturmachtproductions.bandcamp.com/album/solve-et-coagula
Buy digital album in Lossless Format https://exgenesis.bandcamp.com/
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