Spina Bifida - Ziyadah (1993)

Genre: Death/Doom Metal
Country: Netherlands
Year: 1993

1. Witchfire
2. Reverse
3. Purest Queen
4. Individual
5. Aimless
6. Götterdämmerung
7. Verdict
8. Die

Download at Mediafire
Metal Archives Rating: 95% (1 review)
Last.fm

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Initially recorded in 1992, this Death/Doom masterpiece was let loose on the world in 1993. Probably the first thing that ran through my mind as I was listening to this was how fluent Ziyadah is. Some Death/Doom fail it that respect, and we're left with choppy/chunky sounding albums that can be difficult to listen to unless in short bursts. This, however, is different and these guys have a great sense of melody and know how to compose DOOOOOOOOOM effectively. That's saying something, considering Doom is a slower genre and some find it difficult to pay attention to the slow, agonizing melodies. Spina Bifida is, in no way, like that at all. That said, this is still some of the slowest Death/Doom I've heard, but like Mystic Charm, I can't turn away. The riffs are haunting and dark, like in "Purest Queen".

The vocals are also done well, with a deep rasp and the rare hypnotic clean section here and there.

When it's all said and done, this is one of the best Death/Doom efforts out there. Hidden by a thick veil of obscurity, it's unfortunate that this band didn't garner much success. I suggest you make a break for it and grab this. But not too fast! Take your time. This is doooooom, after all. It's not going anywhere.