"Maelstrom", the second release from Swedish doomsters WORLD BELOW, was one of the first and highest rated CDs I've reviewed for this site. The 4.5 it received from me was the least it deserved: the top-notch songwriting and intricate blend of key and time signatures made it a most worthy tribute to every sub-subgenre of doom metal. One wouldn't have guessed it was a mere side project, in this case led by CENTINEX and SCAR SYMMETRY axe man Jonas Kjellgren. It's a CD that's had plenty of spins in my player since then, and to this day I recall "Epitaph" as one of the finest epic doom pieces ever recorded. That's why I was caught a bit off guard when a brand new album by these guys reached my mailbox. I had no idea it was coming out! Well, after giving "Repulsion" a few spins and wiping the drool from my keyboard, it's become clear that this new release not only does this album top the last one, but it could very well eclipse anything else in the genre.

For starters, the biggest improvement seems to be musicianship. While certainly no slouches their last time around, they've stepped it up big time. Jonas's shredding on tracks like "731" puts him on at least the same par as Garry Jennings, and the ambient effects added throughout the album are worthy of Anders Nystrom's best work. Another huge step forward with "Repulsion" has got to be the production. While "Maelstrom" had a charming NWOSDM scratchy, muddy tone which was adequate enough, "Repulsion" is cleaner, sharper, and most importantly, louder. From the opening thud of "Monsters in the Closet", they sound nothing but professional. Vocalist and Ozzy impersonator Mike Danielsson has benefited the most from the improved sound quality, and he seems to have gained a whole new sense of power and confidence in his voice.

The songwriting, which was the band's biggest strength last time, was something I didn't think could be improved upon. But guess what? It has! Jonas is still a master of blowing listeners away with his mastery of music theory, but this time around compositions are tighter and catchier while maintaining that chaotic WORLD BELOW style. Song length helps in this endeavor - this time around songs average about 8 minutes apiece, but the time flies by! And just like last time, there's a fair amount of emphasis on paying solemn reverence to the entire doom genre without directly copying them. Every big name from SABBATH (the "Children of the Grave" sounding riff in "Monsters in the Closet") to CATHEDRAL ("Gilgamesh" could have easily been on "The Garden of Unearthly Delights") to CANDLEMASS ("The Old Ones" brings to mind "Bearer of Pain") is given their rightful due, yet never once does this album sound unoriginal or artificial. The biggest similarity between the two albums is this: the longest songs on each are the albums' cornerstones. In this case, the nearly 20 minute closer "Monument" does an excellent job of living up to its name. The folk sounding intro is reminiscent of PAGAN ALTAR, but from there it's nothing but ball crushing doom, with more musical twists and turns than a MASTODON record.

This is the kind of CD that makes my job very difficult - not because I have to listen to this multiple times for analysis' sake, but because I have to stop myself in order to make time for all the other stuff I have to listen to and review! And with the buzz surrounding the upcoming CANDLEMASS record featuring SOLITUDE AETURNUS' Robert Lowe, it would be an utter tragedy to see doom fans overlook this here masterwork. Do not make that mistake - get… this… NOW.

- Cardona

OFFICIAL SITE: www.myspace.com/worldbelowavesta

MP3 SOUND SCRAP: Monsters in the Closet

RELATED ITEMS: WORLD BELOW - "Maelstrom", 2005