Review by Jack on May 31, 2002.

Mistweaver originate in Burgos, in the northern part of Spain. They are a relatively unknown band around the metal scene, and probably gained the most attention of their young careers with the ‘Repulsive Revenge Tour 2000’, which saw them playing alongside big name metal acts such as Centinex and Into Darkness.

Mistweaver released a demo CD in 2000 dubbed “Sol Obscurabitur”, and following their demo have gone on to release this debut album. Comprising of 9 songs and running for around 40 minutes, “Dream’s Domain” is chock full of entertaining keyboard melodies laced with competent guitar breaks and run of the mill vocals. When I say run of the mill, I don’t mean to put a damper on Raul’s guttural surge. He is obviously a competent vocalist and his strain of death vox suits the material that's on “Dream’s Domain” suitably.

To pigeonhole “Dream’s Domain” (for the benefit of the genre addicts out there), I would throw the debut album into the melodic death metal category, but this label probably does not do them a huge amount of justice. Yes, it is death metal with some melody, but not in the normal sense that we all have to come to identify melodic death metal as. The keyboard consonance from David really sets the music apart from the normal twin guitars and clean/harsh vocal interchanges that are the stock standard reality on melodic death releases today. The keyboards are heavily stained in the joyous tunes from the dark ages of Europe.

“Dream’s Domain” is, overall, a pretty impressive debut from these youngsters from Spain. However, I do have a few little criticisms. My main beef with Mistweaver is that the first few songs on “Dream’s Domain” are a little too slow to get going. Effectively what I think Mistweaver should have done is maybe axed everything from ‘...And A Child Shall Lead Them’ through to ‘The Call’, and we would instead be presented with a totally nut-crunching epic EP. Aside from that factor and maybe the mix of the keyboards should be toned down a notch or two, allowing the guitars a little room to breath, Mistweaver have come up with the goods.

Bottom Line: It is good to see some new bands breathing life into a boring scene. Mistweaver, while with a few faults, have enough energy and tempo to bring home the bacon with “Dream’s Domain”.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 6
Production: 5.5
Originality: 7
Overall: 6.5

Rating: 6.4 out of 10

Review by JD on November 22, 2013.

When I think what there all is about France, I have to admit the thought of Heavy Metal does not instantly leap into my mind. I think of well-aged wines and cheeses, refined food and a long history when I think of France, not any types of metal. I have heard only a handful of bands from France. With this review, it will show that perhaps we need to look into the country’s metal scene a little harder.

Surtr comes from the Northeast of France, and brings a tight and powerful Traditional Doom Metal style packed and polished with its own sort of twists and turns to the world. Consisting of only three members, Surtr still bring forth a very explosive sound. Named after the Norse Mythology Giant, Surtr’s music seems to be as large and powerful as the Viking legend itself.

With all of the subtly of a Tiger tank on low gear speed, these three French Metallers pull no punches and give a Classic Doom Metal performance. One listen to either 'Rise Again' or the glacier-slow speed power of 'Sonic Doom', it is clear that this trio is one impressive-albeit slow and brooding, powerhouse that is hard to ignore.

Comparing this French band with some of the Doom Metal’s highest elite like the mighty Candlemass or even older My Dying Bride– Surtr is one of a handful of bands out there that will get into that inner Doom circle. With this type of excellence, I am sure that even the non doomers out there will be very pleased if they picked up "Pulvis Et Umbra" for their collections.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9.5
Production: 8.5
Originality: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9 out of 10