Well i have received some killer CD's this year but this isn't one of them.I mean it had to happen sooner or later didn't it ? Armaga are a Russian gothic death doom band that i don't know much about apart from this CD.The first thing that hit me is this band sounds like something from the 90's,not saying they sound out of date or anything like that but the overall sound is from 10 plus years ago.They have some good crunching guitar and thankfully don't use the typical female gothic vocal approach that is so predictable in bands like this.They do have some OK material in songs like "Human Plant" that has a simple but good plodding doom rhythm and another track "Poisoned" creates some good atmospheric vibes.The problem i have none of the riffs are memorable in any way, just so pedestrian it just gets instantly forgettable.I know this is a audience for bands like this so i don't want to put those people off this band,they do have a good material like ""The Left Manor" which sounds like something King Diamond might have done.The old saying " a band is only as good as the riffs" speaks volumes with this band.The potential is there but the songs just don't cut it for me.The production on the album doesn't do the band any favors either,while it does the job it also sounds a little dull at times.The keyboard sound's kind of cheap and lacking any heaviness at all, its just used like a cheap horror movie effect.The good thing is the band works hard to avoid the obvious cliches for a gothic doom band but once again,the material isn't strong enough to create any long lasting impact.This album shows a band with potential but they need improvement in the writing department.The musicianship is there,just not the song writing.Its just run of the mill,standard gothic metal stuff that while it is still within the doom genre,it just sounds uninspired.The best moments are on the songs i have already mentioned,at least they are a bit catchy but the rest sent me into a coma.Oleg Sobolevskiy is the singer and is the bands strong point,its a pity he hasn't got some stronger music to put his raspy vocals to.He reminds a little of the dude from "Rotting Christ" in terms of delivery.The band will hate me, but i find very little to enjoy about this. 4/10
www.myspace.com/armagaband
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