Imbolg- Demo

Imbolg are a three-piece from New York, peddling a blend of doom-laden goth-rock. As their name suggests, they are not shy in attempting to arrange some sort of spurious mystical connection to their music. Whilst I appreciate that this is a review of the music, please don’t expect me to ignore a press release that compares Paganism with Catholicism and Native American traditions in one easy breath - surely a rather strange claim!?

What Imbolg can offer is a set of gentle yet mournful tunes. Pianos and strings abound, mixing eerily with doom-laden drums and guitars. Vocals are perhaps a little lacking, drenched as they are in reverb, and sat towards the back of the mix. This may well be a stylistic intent, but it doesn’t really work for me. Think of the true fathers of this sort of Doom-Rock, and you certainly don’t see any shrinking violets in terms of vocalists. Ozzy or Pete Steele not forefront in the mix? – I think not.

Opening track, “A Restless Sleep” is perhaps the best track on the CD, although this is perhaps due to its lack of vocals. “Duisigh (Awaken)” and “Tieg O’Kane and the Corpse” up the tempo slightly with the introduction of vocals and guitars, but the overall mix is poor, with the piano eventually becoming wearying.

The final track “Encased in Madness” gives more of a hint of promise to the band’s sound. This is more metal in its delivery, but once again the strings drown it.

Overall there is some potential here, but the inconsistent mix makes it hard for the listener to fully discern or appreciate any real merit.

Visit the band on www.myspace.com/imbolg