CLOACA have an eclectic approach to Doom Metal, combining elements of Post-Rock, Post-Metal, chilling dark ambience and claustrophobic, monolithic, subtly industrialized soundscapes. As in the case of HATEFUL ABANDON; CLOACA are one of those bands that walk their own path & can’t just be shoved into a category along with everything else. Their experimental approach is genre-defying and should appeal to those who appreciate music which challenges boundaries without compromising on sound, technique or heaviness. CLOACA could be described as a combination of “Oceanic” era ISIS, “The Eye of Every Storm” era NEUROSIS, and GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR!, with the blackened edge of later DEATHSPELL OMEGA and ENSLAVED. The tracks on offer here gradually build and shift in intensity becoming heavier and ever more suffocating like all the best examples of Post-Rock / Post-Metal you will hear, however also reaching the dizzying heights of heaviness that rivals stalwarts of Doom such as ELECTRIC WIZARD at times. CLOACA also have the added individual touches of having cold, blackened screamed vocals, spoken samples, soaring ambience that chills and fires the imagination in equal measure plus an industrial precision that adds a bleak twist to the overall atmosphere. It’s also worth mentioning that the term “industrial” used here should not be taken too literally, it is more a reference to atmosphere than technique. For example; CLOACA features soundscape elements that have more in common with the unearthly ambient works of DARKSPACE and does not fit into the stereotypical mould of “Industrial”.

Fans of bands including NADJA, ASVA, WEAKLING, CULT OF LUNA, GOJIRA, VELVET CACOON, MOGWAI, MONO, CELESTIAL SEA, and the aforementioned bands should not hesitate to experience CLOACA. “Ghost Town” is an ideal choice for open-minded Metallers and also enthusiasts of unusual, sophisticated gloom.

It’s obvious from the onset that FAAL have put a great deal of work and careful contemplation into the four lengthy compositions that feature on “Abhorrence – Salvation”. As you would expect, the hard work has paid off, resulting in a highly accomplished and unusual album. The high level of quality is something which may generally be associated with Ván Records releases as the label never fails to deliver individual and often genre-defying music (for example; RUINS OF BEVERAST).

“Abhorrence – Salvation” brings to mind “Dark Metal” era BETHLEHEM, combined with the apocalyptic yet hopeful Post-Rock compositions of MOGWAI, EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY or MONO, the dark sonic drone of BLACK BONED ANGEL, and the grandiose Classical ambience of GODSPEED YOU ! BLACK EMPEROR. There are also highlights present such as the sporadic appearance of moody piano pieces that add to the overall dualistic feeling of the album. FAAL tend to blend together seamlessly atmospheres that are at once aggressive, melancholic, desperate, whilst also strangely hopeful and bittersweet. Inspiration comes from the sort of negativity that is to be expected from a band with funereal interests so expect themes of loneliness, grief, solitude, decay, death, hopelessness and isolation. May appeal to fans of (early) KATATONIA, SKEPTICISM, DOOM:VS, AGALLOCH, (early) BETHLEHEM, REMEMBRANCE, BEYOND BLACK VOID, WIJLEN WIJ, UNTIL DEATH OVERTAKES ME, etc. Limited to 200 and exquisitely presented so well worth checking out while you still can!