Somber Serenity - Official Website
Singular |
Germany
![]() |
---|


Review by Felix on January 2, 2021.
The creation of good music can be very easy. A muscular riff, an underlying atmosphere of danger, robust vocals and an earthy, unspoilt production – it does not need much more to bring a killer like 'Collateral Damage' to life. This jewel boasts with a riff that Accept do not have any more in their portfolio (because they have absolutely nothing any more, only Wolf H., but metal musicians who love to show their affinity for classic music on stage cannot be taken seriously). However, this song marks the best number on the comeback work of the Swedes.
With the exception of two new songs in 2009, Torch decided to fall into a comatose sleep for the very brief period of 36 years, but now they are back with four original members in their line-up. This amazing rarity alone makes me feel fine, but it gets even better. No, the remaining eight tracks I have not mentioned so far cannot fully compete with the climax of Reignited, but they offer tons of riffs, a cool level of catchiness and natural harshness. Everything is embedded in conservative song patterns. This feels primal and right with regard to the beginnings of the ensemble and the musical socialisation of the musicians. A completely underrated album of Krokus, the energetic "Stampede" disc from 1990, is probably unknown to the musicians of Torch, but it could easily be the older sibling of this comeback.
Not every song hits the mark exactly. 'Cradle to Grave' sounds like a slightly too hard rocker by Quiet Riot or similar wannabes. 'All Metal, No Rust' lives up to its name. Musically a heavy lump, but lyrically almost painfully clichéd. 'Intruder' drags on relatively unimaginatively for 4:34 minutes. But these details don't change the basically positive overall impression left by these nine mostly well-seasoned songs. Anyone who likes and has too much time can, of course, warm up the age-old discussion of whether such traditionally influenced music is still needed in the year 2020. Some will give the album the label "stale", others the seal of timelessness. But everyone should know himself well enough to know which party he belongs to and therefore leave this album alone or not.
In contrast to the atrociously stupid artwork, which is probably the most amateurish representation of the term Reignited ever, the production effortlessly reaches the common international standards. The album has an organic sound and sparks a good amount of metallic clarity. This especially benefits 'In the Dead of Night', a somewhat restrained piece, but carried by very good melodies. Consequently, if you lump all the pros and cons together, you end up with a good piece of old school metal, not spectacular, outstanding or sensational, but by no means frumpy either.
Rating: 6.8 out of 10
1.14kViewsReview by Felix on January 2, 2021.
The creation of good music can be very easy. A muscular riff, an underlying atmosphere of danger, robust vocals and an earthy, unspoilt production – it does not need much more to bring a killer like 'Collateral Damage' to life. This jewel boasts with a riff that Accept do not have any more in their portfolio (because they have absolutely nothing any more, only Wolf H., but metal musicians who love to show their affinity for classic music on stage cannot be taken seriously). However, this song marks the best number on the comeback work of the Swedes.
With the exception of two new songs in 2009, Torch decided to fall into a comatose sleep for the very brief period of 36 years, but now they are back with four original members in their line-up. This amazing rarity alone makes me feel fine, but it gets even better. No, the remaining eight tracks I have not mentioned so far cannot fully compete with the climax of Reignited, but they offer tons of riffs, a cool level of catchiness and natural harshness. Everything is embedded in conservative song patterns. This feels primal and right with regard to the beginnings of the ensemble and the musical socialisation of the musicians. A completely underrated album of Krokus, the energetic "Stampede" disc from 1990, is probably unknown to the musicians of Torch, but it could easily be the older sibling of this comeback.
Not every song hits the mark exactly. 'Cradle to Grave' sounds like a slightly too hard rocker by Quiet Riot or similar wannabes. 'All Metal, No Rust' lives up to its name. Musically a heavy lump, but lyrically almost painfully clichéd. 'Intruder' drags on relatively unimaginatively for 4:34 minutes. But these details don't change the basically positive overall impression left by these nine mostly well-seasoned songs. Anyone who likes and has too much time can, of course, warm up the age-old discussion of whether such traditionally influenced music is still needed in the year 2020. Some will give the album the label "stale", others the seal of timelessness. But everyone should know himself well enough to know which party he belongs to and therefore leave this album alone or not.
In contrast to the atrociously stupid artwork, which is probably the most amateurish representation of the term Reignited ever, the production effortlessly reaches the common international standards. The album has an organic sound and sparks a good amount of metallic clarity. This especially benefits 'In the Dead of Night', a somewhat restrained piece, but carried by very good melodies. Consequently, if you lump all the pros and cons together, you end up with a good piece of old school metal, not spectacular, outstanding or sensational, but by no means frumpy either.
Rating: 6.8 out of 10
1.14kViewsReview by Jack on May 8, 2002.
Somber Serenity is a rare gem that I have had the pleasure of recently unearthing. Morbid and melancholy in their musical output, and possessing strong doom/death ties throw these four lads from southern Germany into the very depths of the darkest metal. I had never heard Somber Serenity before I first played their new album “Singular”, apparently I have been living in box for my whole life as they have quite an accomplished live arsenal. Playing with bands such as My Dying Bride, The Gathering and Night In Gales is sure to raise some eyebrows in terms of playing talent and musical ability. After all the aforementioned bands are cream of the crop in the doom/gothic section of metal, and I have to say that Somber Serenity and “Singular” are not too far away from them.
With 8 songs spanning 60 plus minutes of dark metal goodness, we aren’t going to be too many radio singles from Somber Serenity. Probably the most striking aspect of “Singular” (aside from their obvious talent) is the ability that Somber Serenity possess; to create solid mood and atmosphere with each of the 8 songs on “Singular”. Every song is intriguing and has the impressive aptitude to throw the listener in and out of the guitar riffs or particular vocal chords seamlessly. Whether it be a galloping section in ‘Tragedy Star’ or a smooth and brooding piece in the 14 minute closer; ‘Nemesis, My Childe’, “Singular” flows beautifully. The beauty of all this is that Somber Serenity is still able to retain the same dark atmosphere while throwing the listener through a myriad of moods and tempos.
Lyrically, Somber Serenity writes rather cryptically for each of their song titles. Depression and darkness seem to be the standard sort of thoroughfare for bands of the doomy nature, and “Singular” does not disappoint (I guess a happy-go-lucky doom band would be a contradiction in terms). If I am correct for the song ‘Goddess of Light’, it tells the story of a man who lives inside his mind (perhaps antisocial and very reclusive) and imagines the thought of an incredibly beautiful and enchanting woman who appears to him one day. The apparition makes him smile and feel happy. Every night he would look forward to sleep as it would bring him his ‘Goddess of Light’ and then one night she does not return, ‘...she dies as a dream might...’ Pretty interesting stuff, if you are into it.
Bottom Line: Make no bats (insert any other dark/gothic word here you deem fit) about it, Somber Serenity are a classy outfit, with no real identifiable shortcomings. Flowing tremendously, “Singular” is a quality album.
Categorical Rating Breakdown
Originality: 7
Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8.5
Production: 8
Overall: 7.5
Rating: 7.8 out of 10