From a realm far beyond our space and time, there emerges a new spectral entity knows as Rothadàs. Their old school notion of death/doom doesn’t have much similarities to the cavernous U.S. bands, where the Hungarian duo derives their hallmark sound from the early forms of doom metal. Each of the five tracks in this bleak musical canvas come from a perfect interpretation and conceptual composition of death and doom metal art. As the feeling of dread becomes imminent, “Kopár hant… az alvilág felé” conjures a sound that is reminiscent of the European style. The funereal manifestations possess a fair share of atmospheric dimensions, where the guitars on the entire album are thickly layered with crushing doom riffs. 

With the inevitable sense of foreboding darkness, on the album’s opener “Utolsó kenet” the heavy guitar dirges gives a fine impression of layered riffs, betwixt the thin borders of doom metal the Hungarian duo tread on the direct grounds of death metal. While the reverb sound of the cavernous growls feels like an echo coming out from the ancient catacombs, the crushing gait of the drums gradually increases the intensity. The thrilling composition comes from the dexterity of the vocalist/drummer Lambert Lédeczy and guitarist/bassist Tibor Hanyi as they rev up the pace. With the bludgeoning blast beats applied when necessary, Rothadàs knows exactly when to speed up things. The lead guitars on “Kopár hant… az alvilág felé” melds the serpentine line, the swift changes between the tempos align the plodding paces of death and doom metal in one potent slab.

The guitars are dense, laden with stomping riffs, “Koporsószeg” displays an eerie quality from the rhythm. The uncanny blend of solid death/doom riffing interlace through the lumbering paces of the guitars and the drums meander through upbeat tempos. Rothadàs slowly drowns the listener into an obscure swamp where the guitars portray a bleak landscape awash with the brooding darkness. The slow tempo trudges uncover the somber themes of the funereal pace. The lead guitars bind dark foreboding elements with the slow tempos that seem to be predominating the above-mentioned song. There are some hints to melodies and tremolos in the slower sections and despite the repetitive pace the songs are never monotonous. 

What gives the album such a unique quality is the level of instrumental work that provides depth to the songs. Through the effective scale of rhythmic layering and dark ominous growls, which are sung in the native Hungarian language, the duo perfectly maintains a slow crushing tone. “Sírkő” descends into the dark and malicious dimensions of doom metal, the guitars tread on the desolate landscapes of spectral horror. Through the haunted catacombs overshadowed by the low cavernous growls providing an ominous visage, the dense crushing guitars blend eerie rhythms. “Kopár hant​.​.​. az alvilág felé“ is equally heavy and bleak the lead guitars play a prominent factor in enhancing the quality of the songs.

Throughout the album, the lurching guitars generate a deep spectral atmosphere and the drums often provide great diversity and speed up the tempo. Rothadàs‘ creative ability to the crafting of antique old-school riffing is wrought from archaic technique, though the duo takes pride in crafting their aesthetics this paradigm will ensue vividly in their future direction. Another strength of the album is the insertion of the underlying melodic patterns therefore songs as “Kripta” sprawls into the slower atmospheric tempos as it builds on the heavy lumbering riffs. Suddenly the emitting guttural growls and sinister screams creep out like some ghoulish crescendo they seem to echo between the fast drumming paces and the heavy barrage.

The final track “Temető” is the longest cut among the songs it begins with the guitars churning out heavy doom metal riffage. There are plenty of monstrous chugging riffs and fast bludgeoning sections that set a brutal tone the guitars emphasize the eerie atmospheric elements with the down-tuned riffs creeping slowly into a funeral procession.   

“Kopár hant​.​.​. az alvilág felé” is an ominous album filled with murky growls which send chills down your spine. Rothadàs on their debut album convey such an entrancing experience of quality death/doom metal conjured by the excellent caliber of songwriting and craftsmanship. This is highly recommended for fans of Ceremonium, Cenotaph, and Void Rot.  

Release Date: October 12th, 2021
Label: Me Saco un Ojo Records (Vinyl), Pulverized Records (CD)
Tracklist:

1. Utolsó kenet
2. Koporsószeg
3. Sírkő
4. Kripta
5. Temető