Album Reviews

Review – Bacchanale Premiere by Vinum Sabbatum

Vinum Sabbatum are back with their first full length after a successful EP and split with Groan.

“Vinum Sabbatum’s first full length displays a band grown into a tight unit. The material is somewhat removed from the Doom Metal approach of “Songs From The Convent” and showcases more of their love for Prog & Hard Rock rooted in the 70s, such as Uriah Heep, Deep Purple or Atomic Rooster, along with Blues-based Heavy Rock á la early Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Warhorse & Iron Claw.

So there is still heaviness here, they merely traded the obvious Doom Metal leanings for an exciting mix of bluesy doom and gloom, combined with psychedelic and rocking grooves with enchantingly catchy melodies, and crowned by the remarkable voice of Janne Salo and the Hammond Organ and keyboard of Tomi Korpela.”

Maybe it’s just me but I can still sense a bit of the doom metal as with previous offerings however the change is quite obvious. Bacchanale Premiere does have a bit of a cult-ish feel to it. There have been more blues infused in their music and overall the occult feel certainly adds to the overall atmosphere of the album. The guitar solo in “Tombstone Rider” sounds like it could’ve been from a Cream song. “In And Out Of Faith” has a riff that, if you listen closely, you could swear was the main riff from Freelance Fiend by Leaf Hound. Seeing that the band cites various bands form the 60′s and 70′s, it’s no surprise to pick those out. The album flows along nicely until the 2nd to last song, “Culdremne.” The pace on this one really slows down and appears to be more or less a direct lead into the track closer “Vinum Sabbatum.”

I’m not sure of the band is looking to get completely out of the doom metal genre but if this an attempt in that direction, they’re on the right track. They still got ways to go but getting there. Some bands try to evolve over time, some fail, other succeed. Vinum Sabbatum have succeeded in improving upon an already impressive (short) back catalog. Listen to “Tombstoner Rider” below and look for the CD release at the end of August and a vinyl pressing to follow up in the future.