Cardinals Folly - Orthodox Faces

I have been following this Finnish band since they first started out (ever heard The Coven)? They were once a tribute band to Reverend Bizarre and then now transformed to a passionate Doom Metal band making a sound of their own but leaving behind their influences which are Traditional Doom Metal and early NWOBHM bands. This EP is already some 6 months old but its only now started to create a buzz around the Doom Metal community. For those obsessed with Pentagram, Witchfinder General and occult driven Doom bands, Cardinal's Folly are the real deal. The main difference with this and the last EP "Heretic's Hangover" is this EP shows a band much more together in the songwriting department but there is also a huge improvement in production and sound. This EP is heavier than "Heretic's Hangover" overall and they create a even more sinister atmosphere on these songs. There is only really 3 songs on here, the forth track is the short intro "Opening Ceremony" that sets up the mood for the 10 minute "Blood Axis Raiders". The onslaught that follows is a un-forgiving monolithic slab of crushing Doom in the vein of Reverend Bizarre" and strangely like the fairly new Doom act "The Wandering Midget". Cardinals Folly's are extremely on the anti-christian side of Doom so if you of the christian faith, this is a band you might want to avoid like the plague. Not that sound that evil at first but dig a little deeper and you find some real hated for god and religion in general. "Blood Axis Raiders" is one long dark track but its held together by a great vibe, great playing and a fine building arrangement that never get dull.

The next track "Cardinals Folly" is as heavy, unholy and uncompromising as the previous track and their Saint Vitus influence shines through on this very old-school sounding track. The band still have those drunken Stoner Doom groove moments that were evident on the first EP as they have a loose feel to their songs and "Cardinal's Folly" might just be the loosest track on this EP. The last track is another 10 minute epic called "They Found Atlantis", equally as impressive as "Blood Axis Raiders" its the other highlight of the EP, i just think "Cardinal's Folly" sounds like filler material compared with the two epics that take up the bulk of the CD. If there is a problem it would be the two epics sound like they should be joined together like one long song as there is very variation in sound or song structure. Its all great pure Doom though and it all points to 2010 being a major year for the band as they are set to release their full length album. 8.5/10

Cardinals Folly @ MySpace