Review by Jeger on September 29, 2025.

Masterminded by Veteran Finnish DM'er, Harri Kuokkanen, and realized over an affinity for horror films, the renowned Hooded Menace has, since 2007, traced the divide between film and music; resulting in recordings of the most immersive variety. Death Doom that satisfies both Paradise Lost depressed fucks and Autopsy Gorehogs… Their classy discography consists of six, soon to be seven LPs - all favorably reviewed by critics and revered by fans as well. Masters of the chop, the chug and the pull. Overseers of the grim, the macabre and the horrific. Bastard sons of Suomi's celebrated Extreme Metal scene.

Remember the '80's? Not you - Millennial pussy with your blue hair, Geek Bar, gauges and your overly-developed sense of entitlement. Yes, you over there with your faded biker leather and tattered Mortician tee drinking your third pitcher of PBR. Remember? A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th and Hellraiser: the thrill, the fright and all that blessed cheese. The soundtracks! The montages and just that whole too-cool-for-school, smoking Marlboros in the boy's room, stuffing posers in a locker mentality? Yeah, I do too, Compadre. Well, the time for glorious nostalgia has come. On October 3, Hooded Menace will release "Lachrymose Monuments Of Obscuration" via the one and only Season of Mist! Count down the days on your Swatch my friend, because this is a sweet one…

The importance of the ages-old practice of riffing should always be paramount in the mind of the Death Doomer. Incorporate that with a stark sense of melody & rhythm and what you've got is a recipe for some savory Metal. The Asphyx way… The brutal way! Down pat here during "Pale Masquerade" - a sensory massage following an epic intro in "Twilight Passages". Galloping along to the rhythm and banging your head to the chops. And that whole '80's vibe just sweetening the deal like a shot of Irish Cream in your Guinness: frothy, bold and satisfying. That eerie melodious tone that only the now-defunct Children of Bodom had down to a science, colorfully on display here. I understand the need to experiment as an Artist, but Hooded Menace are just delivering the tried & true goods in spades. Four o'clock in the morning never sounded so sweet. Just the right amount of Suboxone, caffeine, nicotine and Death Doom to get me chubbed for the day to come.

Each track conveys a subtly anthemic Cock Rock vibe a la Whitesnake and a mild progressively melodic sound shallowly comparable to Queensrÿche. And the solos? Like a Malmsteen wet dream. A Duran Duran cover? Sure, I'll take that as well. Hooded Menace cover the duo's hit, "Save A Prayer", and it somehow fits like a glove. Prepare to be transported back to the age of "Just Say No", Rob Lowe sex scandals and that line that went up the back of hot chick's stockings… Fast cars, cocaine and Jason Voorhees walking faster than anyone could run. The good ole days! This cross-generational work of Death Doom will appease poser-smashing individuals such as myself and contemporary enthusiasts equally.

Hooded Menace took no chances. With "Lachrymose Monuments Of Obscuration", they deliver a steak & taters type of LP that everyone will adore. Can't go wrong! A feel good album that's as simply delightful as it is brutal. Don't "save it for the morning after…" Crank it to 11! And then file it away alongside your favorite records to be pulled out shortly after for one of those beer-soaked nights with your old High School buds. Radical, dude…

RAting: 9.5 out of 10