Dimension Doom is a Brazilian Sci-fi Death Doom band. Created by Fernando Nahtaivel (keyboardist from the band Insane Devotion). A cast of experienced underground metal musicians from southern Brazil has been assembled, now presenting their debut album, “Prime Directive.” The album was released on November 8, 2024, by the label Eclipsys Lunarys Productions.
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Dimension Doom, Prime Directive Review: This review will evaluate every aspect of the album, from its intricate musical composition to its production. Our analysis will provide valuable insights to help you determine if this album is worth adding to your collection.
The First Three Sins of Prime Directive
Let’s start by discussing the first three sins of Dimension Doom and their album, Prime Directive
The First Sin, The Strings/Keys: Characterized by heavy riffs and darkly haunting melodic solos/melodies that contribute to the overall dark and atmospheric sound. The bass lines are deep and robust, ensuring the music remains heavy and grounded. Synthesizers add a symphonic layer to their tracks, creating an epic and haunting ambiance. The Second Sin, The Vocals: Vocals are versatile, ranging from death guttural growls to haunting slow growling singing. This duality adds to the emotional depth of their music. The Third Sin—The Percussions: The drumming is powerful and provides a solid backbone to their music, supporting the heavy riffs and overall intensity.
The Fourth Sin: Overall Discussion:
Blends the atmospheric density of doom with the relentless intensity of death, spiced with a science fiction narrative…
When the listener hits the play button, they are immediately greeted by the enchanting sounds of Attempt at Redemption. This track unfolds with a captivating sci-fi and mystical introduction, immersing the audience in a cosmic ambiance. The progressive instrumentals and resonant guttural vocals create a rich tapestry of sound, perfectly preparing them for the journey that lies ahead with the next six tracks.
Dimension Doom‘s Prime Directive intertwines the crushing weight of death doom, merging the intense growls of death metal with the languid tempos and sombre ambiance characteristic of doom metal. This genre is marked by its deep, guttural vocals and powerful guitar riffs, enveloping listeners in a shadowy, intense atmosphere. Rather than focusing on the typical themes of despair and loss, one finds in death doom. Instead, Dimension Doom ventured into a darker existential realm, with lyrics that probe into the depths of human conflict, the quest for redemption, sci-fi, and the intricate nature of existence.
Dimension Doom’s Prime Directive is a fruit of art-forty-minute journey, divided into seven tracks, crafted by a trio of musicians steeped in the underground scene of Curitiba, Brazil. Drawing from their experiences with bands like Insane Devotion, Ethel Hunter, Divulsor, Lacrima Mortis, Fohatt, Sad Theory, and more, they create a rich tapestry of sound.
What elevates Dimension Doom’s Prime Directive beyond mere genre fusion of death metal and doom metal is the inclusion of five guest guitarists. Each track, except for the sixth, What Could Have Been, which is a beautiful synth instrumental composition, showcases a unique blend of sounds, riffs, and atmospheres. These guitarists contribute a diverse array of elements, whether it’s down-tuned riffs, a brooding ambiance, melancholic and crushing slow passages, progressive segments, or darkly haunting melodic solos/melodies. Their contributions infuse each composition with depth, character, and vibrancy, breathing life into the music and lyrics.
The heartbeat of the music pulses with the energy of the trio, featuring Hernan Oliveria on bass, who lays down a robust foundation that anchors the sound. Fernando Nahtaivel commands the drums and synths, employing an array of techniques like double bass drumming and explosive blast beats, crafting a rhythm section that is both dynamic and electrifying. His synth contributions are pivotal to Dimension Doom‘s sound, weaving in symphonic and atmospheric textures that elevate the overall experience. The incorporation of orchestral elements, including strings and choirs, amplifies the epic and grand nature of their compositions. Larissa Pires takes the lead on vocals, her powerful blend of deep, guttural growls and soaring, melodic lines infusing the music with an aggressive intensity. The clean vocals serve as a poignant contrast, imbuing the tracks with an emotional depth and a touch of melancholy.
Dimension Doom‘s Prime Directive emerges as a fruit of art fusion of weighty riffs, melodic undertones, and immersive atmospheres, inviting listeners into a transcendent experience that feels both otherworldly and deeply personal. Each track stands apart, showcasing a unique blend of sound, mood, and tempo, all skilfully woven together in a rich tapestry of sonic production. Every nuance of the composition is expertly captured, ensuring that each note resonates with clarity and depth, delivering a nothing short auditory experience of breathtaking.
The artistry within the instrumental arrangements, vocal performances, lyrical prowess and the devilmanship reflects a profound dedication to their craft. There is a palpable sense of intention behind every element of Dimension Doom‘s Prime Directive, as if each moment has been thoughtfully sculpted with precision and elegance. This careful planning allows the album to unfold gracefully, inviting listeners to relish the intricate layers and emotional weight of the music, making it a true testament to the power of artistic expression.
The album wraps up with its closing piece, The Finest Path, beckoning the listener into a mesmerizing world of ethereal keyboard melodies. This track weaves together a rich tapestry of slow, weighty compositions and resonant vocals, providing a perfect culmination to the musical journey. We want to give a shoutout to Dimension Doom for letting us review their album Prime Directive. Now, we are going to conclude the review by talking about the final three sins and concluding the review.
The Last Three Sins
Let’s discuss the last three sins of Dimension Doom and their album, Prime Directive
The Fifth Sin, The Memorabilia:
Dimension Doom‘s Prime Directive struck a chord with me, offering a refreshing and distinctive experience. The band’s sound weaves together the complex brutality of death metal with the heavy emotional resonance of doom metal, all while cleverly sidestepping the typical themes of despair and loss found in death/doom. Instead, they introduce a captivating sci-fi narrative that enriches their lyrics. Although, the traditional motifs of sorrow and grief are removed. At the same time, that sorrow and grief is lingering in the music, enhancing the overwhelming intensity of the music and vocals.
The entire album—its music, lyrics, composition, and the interplay of instruments and vocals—offers a rich tapestry woven from the fruits of artistic expression. As highlighted in numerous reviews, my admiration for female vocals shines through, and I must say that Larissa Pires‘ deep, guttural tones are nothing short of mesmerizing. I’m thrilled to include her in my list of favourite female vocalists. Meanwhile, Fernando’s synth work elevates the overall composition, infusing it with an epic, haunting, and mystical sci-fi essence, perfectly timed to enhance the music without overshadowing the other instruments and vocals.
The Sixth Sin, The Artwork:
The album artwork for Prime Directive complements perfectly the band’s dark and epic themes. Here are some notable elements: The cover features a dystopian landscape with futuristic elements, portraying a world teetering on the brink of collapse, resonating with the album’s themes of struggle and redemption.
The Seventh Sin, Disrelish:
Nothing to disrelish within the musical spectrum of Dimension Doom and their album, Prime Directive. Therefore, this concludes Dimension Doom and their album, Prime Directive review.
Members
Larissa Pires: vocals (also in the bands Ethel Hunter and Neptunn)
Hernan Oliveira: bass (Ethel Hunter, Fornication, among many other bands)
Fernando Nahtaivel: keyboards and drums (Insane Devotion, Eternal Sorrow, Fohatt, Great Vast Forest, as well as guest recordings for bands like Amen Corner, among many others)
Guests:
Bruno Schmidt (Divulsor, Wolflust-live)
Rodrigo Bueno (Lacrima Mortis)
Gerson Watanabe (Ethel Hunter, Fornication)
Tony Fontana (Fohatt)
Aly Fioren (Sad Theory)
Track-Listing
01. Attempt at Redemption
02. Struggle Against Humanity
03. Dimension of Death
04. Off-Air Channel
05. Between Humans and Giants
06. What Could Have Been
07. The Finest Path
