Solitude Aeturnus - Beyond the Crimson Horizon (1992)^{Release ID: 1971}

I was so surprised by Solitude Aeturnus' debut album Into the Depths of Sorrow. It took Candlemass' epic doom approach and gave it a mystical element, in the process creating one of the most beautiful albums I've had the pleasure of listening to. It was always going to be difficult for me to approach Beyond the Crimson Horizon with anything but the highest expectations. While I can say straight up that this album doesn't match the debut in my opinion, but it is still a great, entertaining listen.

It's hard to say why I don't think this release matches its predecessor. All the ingredients are the same really, with Lowe's vocals still well and truly the centrepiece of proceedings. There are great riffs throughout the album and the drumming is a fair bit more interesting overall. Some of the leads are awesome and the doom element has been given a boost, but somehow these tracks just don't move me as much as classics like Dream of Immortality, Dawn of Antiquity or Mirror of Sorrow do. I find myself thoroughly enjoying every track, but never being completely overcome with emotion.

All this said, there is no denying that as far as epic doom metal goes, this is still right up there with the best. If you're at all a fan of the Candlemass style of doom, then don't hesitate to pick Beyond the Crimson Horizon up. Highlights for me are Black Castle, Beneath the Fading Sun and Plague of Procreation. Now onto the next Solitude Aeturnus classic, Through the Darkest Hour.