Count Raven - High On Infinity (1992)

Criminally underrated Count Raven were a doom metal three piece much criticised for their Sabbath-esque style grooves, particularly the vocal drool of Fondelius. I disagree with the crtics, finding Count Raven's style of doom a pleasant one, often bereft of misery and instead giving as social commentary laced with oaken riffs and Gothic rambling. Too many so-called doom metal acts exist only as a mournful and often depressing dirge, but Count Raven, like Sabbath, Candlemass, Witchfinder General, pentagram, play ana lmost simplistic style based around great doom n' roll riffs and epic structures, particulary on the nine-minute 'Masters Of Evil'. Although 'High...' clocks in at over an hour, I find it a rewarding experience,although some may find Fondelius' vox a little too close to that distinctive Ozzy drool especially on six minute opener 'Jen'. The band rarely move beyond the crawl of a concrete caterpillar, 'Children's Holocaust' is a sombre trudge, but does feature a scorching sinister ending with a killer solo. Those of you who've only just discovered doom metal should really delve into the book of metal revelations where you'll find masters such as Count Raven, St Vitus, and Candlemass at the forefront. Skip these pages at your peril because this is real dooooom. 7.5/10