Review by JD on January 5, 2011.

With not one iota of information that I could find out on this band, not even out on the net, I find myself with one major dilemma on my hands. Either I keep searching for the background information I use to write all of my reviews with or just dive in blind and do the review on the music itself. I take a deep breath, click on the play in my Media Player and hold on for dear life. The blind review commences. Anyone got a bottle of really strong shit?

I was instantly blown away with the blind listen. Alassë plays some impressive Progressive influenced Symphonic Black Metal with a fury and talent that rivals anyone out there. Sounding like a odd spawning of Cradle Of Filth meeting Bathory with a added touch of Death Metal to me... it is big, rich and heavy as hell. I was glad of that much.

Songs like the diabolic 'In Memoriam / Fiet Illud Quod Futurum Est' shows a depth of complexity that the band has while more straight ahead fare like the pounding 'En Tutoi Nika' shows more of a brutality that borders on the criminally insane. It pumps and bleeds, sending you to a place even angels tremble to think about.

I hate going into any review blind and somewhat in the dark. I have been burned by really bad bands before when there has been no information. This album was by far the best blind listen I have ever gotten, and I thank them many times over. I thought about not doing the review... I am glad for doing it after all.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:9
Atmosphere: 8.5
Production: 8
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by JD on July 27, 2011.

Heavy and strikingly massive guitars, morbid yet vile fuelled lyrics with an air of desolation... Doom Metal has a very revered place in my heart. There is something about Doom that makes my metallic heart sing, and my different musical projects go in that direction every time. Chilean Doom Metal scene has come out with one of the stand outs, a low string and deeply macabre act called Condenados.

Chile is a hot bed of metal right now. One of my other favorite bands at the moment come from there (Procession). Now another Chilean band has stoked my metallic fires even higher, and led my heart into the Doom vortex once again. Condenados plays traditional styled Doom Metal, there is no surprises or outrageous changes - they play Doom at a very high standard. Good for us.

Sung partially in Chilean but most in English through out the album, it never weakens the quality or the sheer power that Condenados have. Songs like the pounding Doom laden wall of power aptly named 'Welcome To My Grave' to the huge lyrical of 'Final Transmutation' show that traditional Doom Metal has more to offer up than just being heavy. It showcases the untapped
talent that lurks in the dark world of DM.

There was no real surprises... except for the fact that this is a very good band. No new ground, just making traditional, amazing. Doom is finally showing just what it can do... but in orgasmic slow motion. Condenados is simply amazing.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 8.5
Originality: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9 out of 10