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[Official Site]
Reviewed:
  1. Velvet Darkness They Fear (1996)
  2. Aégis (1998)
Remarks:

Country: Norway

Velvet Darkness They Fear (1996, Century Media)

The second album from Norway's TOT continues the style from the first self-titled album. A melodic doom metal with a male singer that growls in a typical death fashion and a female counterpoint (Liv) with fleeting operatic vocals. The music is slow, beautiful, and sombre. I think the old english lyrics are an overkill (these "thy", "thou" and "thine" get old terribly fast, not to mention the "th" at the end of verbs). There are nine songs, with an average length of 5 minutes, which may not be long for this style but sounds fine. My favorite piece is "And When He Falleth" with the narrative from some old (unnamed) Hollywood flick. The music is made to fit the rhythm of the dialogue, as well as its denouement. Potent stuff. Much better than their first offering.

Verdict: essential doom/death album, defined the style that is frequently imitated today.

 

Aégis (1998, Century Media)

The third full-length CD and a surprising development -- following in the steps of The Gathering, TOT have abandoned the death vocals and now Raymond provides the clean vocals and he is quite good at it. They also let Liv sing quite a bit more, which is also a change one would expect given where the doom scene is going today. The compositions are much more restrained, although they are still heavy and laden with atmosphere. Now, if they could only abandon the old English spelling in the lyrics, I would be perfectly happy. "Cassandra," which is the best song on the album has also been released as a single in a slightly different arrangement. The CD cover is superb and very tastefully done. Pretty good.

Verdict: must get, must listen.