Italian gothic doom metal band The Foreshadowing released their sophomore CD Oinos back in 2010, and Metal Blade Records is now reissuing it here in the US for the first time. For those who are unfamiliar with the band, they play a dark, melancholy blend of haunting doom, not unlike the early works of My Dying Bride, While Heaven Wept, Anathema, and Katatonia. Dark heavy riffs, spooky organ & synths, and the gothic styled clean vocals of Marco Benevento. He's got the perfect voice for this style of doom, and coupled with the morose arrangements, can make for a depressing listen, but it's all done so well that you have to appreciate all the band is doing here. Things never get truly heavy, but some tunes, like "Outsiders" and "Fallen Reign" contain some pretty massive riffs, and the harmony guitar parts are well done and very melodic. I think my main issue with The Foreshadowing is they just don't mix up the tempos much, as each song tends to blend in with the next, plus Benevento also doesn't help matters with his somewhat monotone delivery. I prefer the songs that offer up some variety and mix the doom with some progressive elements, like on "Chant of Widows", which works on all levels. Despite a few misgivings, as far as haunting, depressive, gothic doom is concerned, Oinos is pretty solid if you can't get enough of this kind of epic styled metal.
And their cover of Sting's "Russians" is interesting to say the least...
Track Listing
Oionos
01. The Dawning
02. Outsiders
03. Oionos
04. Fallen Reign
05. Soliloquium
06. Lost Humanity
07. Survivors Sleep
08. Chant Of Widows
09. Hope She's In The Water
10. Russians [Sting cover]
11. Revelation 3:11
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