Deep Desolation - Subliminal Visions (2011)

   Since black/doom metal is not a common thing to find, the style definitely have potential if it's about introducing new aspects and possibilites. And it's exactly what Deep Desolation did.
   Interestingly the situation of black/doom somehow reminds to what happened with death/doom before the late '00s. Though the subgenre existed since the late '80s, only a few bands tried to play it, and most were short lived. In black metal seemingly it's depressive direction supposed to fill a similar role, though it's a far different thing, since it completely lacks the heaviness and musical effectiveness of doom metal, and relies only on strong atmospheric sound. In Deep Desolation's music there are no references to find to any of the older names that could be related to black/doom, they just played their own old school rooted style with slight groovy touch. This groovy affection is resposnible for their common switch to middle speed, and not turning all songs too slow or extremely long. It's like if the band tried to find some middle way for themselves to not turn too exaggerated ino any direction. Their music somehow reminds to old Samael and Morbid Angel with some even older, traditional '80 heavy and doom metal influences. Therefore "Subliminal Visions" doesn't lack catchy themes, heaviness and atmosphere either. The raw extreme basics got mashed up and after doom based themes and groovy intensity were added, it turned to some massive creamy mixture like if the instructions of an old recipe book have been followed. Because of it's less extreme features this creamy black/doom might fit to the taste of wider audience than just the fans of black or death metal.