Ahab - The Coral Tombs

Even if things like to be a bit more leisurely in Doom realms, the waiting time for new material felt like Ahab but quite tough. Almost seven and a half years have passed since their last regular studio album, even if the masters of nautical heaviness have been anything but idle during this time. „The Coral Tombs“ is dedicated to Jules Verne’s classic “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and at the same time dares a lot more musically.

“Prof. Arronax’ Descent Into The Vast Oceans” not only has a fantastic title, you’re not used to the elemental force with blast beats from the Doomsters. Ultha’s Chris Noir joins in – it makes Black Metal sense – and puts his stamp on the mangled opening minutes. Behind it waits the usual melodic, elegiac doom that gets under your skin, that burns under your fingernails, that whirls your soul life upside down. The bouncer “The Mælstrom” also brings celebrities into the (submarine) boat, namely Greg Chandler from the Extreme Doom veterans Esoteric. The increasing darkness of the leaden digression, skilfully underlined by growls and agony, finally throws the inner and outer balance out of joint.

But it doesn’t really need guests, as the quasi-title track “A Coral Tomb” shows, for example. It may take a while for Ahab to get into the song, but the puristic-minimalistic funeral mood is great and is at best overshadowed by “The Sea As A Desert”. Rancid, guttral growls underline the intensity of the almost sludge-like inventory, in the second half the clear vocals take on almost spiritual forms. Actually, comparatively little happens here, but that’s also absolutely fine – the power lies in the ominous, devilish calm.

Overwhelming at first, then exciting: Ahab need a little time to regroup, to get back on the proverbial track – the oppressive opener first escalates before the waves calm down. So “The Coral Tombs” initially overwhelms you in the best sense of the word, later sorts itself out and finally lulls you in. After the extended studio break, the quartet lets off steam at a leisurely pace, finds fresh approaches and at the same time emphasizes old class. The nautical madness unfolds its full oppressive potential in installments and doesn’t let go – an immersive, challenging, always rewarding and always exciting experience.

Rating: 8/10

Available from: 01/13/2023
Available through: Napalm Records (Universal Music)

Website: ahab-doom.de
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AhabDoom