Scald is a name that appears in heavy metal lore. Specifically, the epic doom genre, or as their new album indicates, Ancient Doom Metal. I was taken aback when I saw that they were going to be releasing a new album, considering the first and only was in 1997. I heard Will of the Gods is (a) Great Power a few years ago when I found a used CD copy on sale at a record store a couple of hours away, which was the first time I had listened to the album. It truly is worth every kind word written. However, when it was released, only a short time after, powerhouse vocalist Agyl passed away in a train accident. Since the collective was his vision, the band stopped, too.

27 years later, the band has been resurrected by the original members, as well as new vocalist Felipe Plaza Kutzbach. Of course, comparisons will abound, so let’s get it out of the way; Felipe is not Agyl. With modern production techniques, Felipe is front and center, sounding much like Markus Becker of Atlantean Kodex. None of that matters if the band can’t write the riffs and bring the songs because there are high expectations.

I believe those expectations have been exceeded. If you’re into progressive doom, you’re going to have an album of the year contender. Take for example the lead track, “Ancient Doom Metal,” which begins with an ambient intro, but soon erupts into a killer doom riff, and the vocals come in just as quickly. The chorus even includes the words “ancient soul of doom metal.” They even add some light orchestration to the background. Maybe this will get the boss man, Erik to check it.

This would be a fine time to confirm what any readers of a review of this sub-genre probably expected; The songs are lengthy. That also brings me to my favorite, “Master of the Lake,” which is one of the shortest. When the riff comes in, the guitar lead on top outshines it. The riff is still massive, though. It takes about a minute for the vocals to start, and the approach is almost minimalist, letting the instruments breathe. That chorus, though! It’s one of my favorites of the year and it has been stuck in my head for weeks.

I realized I am nearly out of room, so I will take this to the last track, a triumphant-sounding scorcher called “The Enemy Among Us.” It’s nearly 8 minutes, so it’s one of the longer tracks. The riff is crunchier than your morning granola, and the drums hit heavy. There are minimal choral vocals buried in the background, mostly of the “oh” variety. The chorus is smooth and catchy, which is the norm for Ancient Doom Metal. However, perhaps this one is special because its words recall parts of the title of the first album. If you stick around for the end, you’ll even get treated to some falsettos.

I don’t know if you’re able to tell how enthused I am with this comeback, but it’s the epitome of what a band should do when they make a comeback. Of course, it feels as though we are now living in the times of the comeback album where bands we never thought could reconcile, are playing one-offs and perhaps recording new music. I’m here for it as many bands I was too young to enjoy are embracing it. I’m hoping Scald will somehow do some US tour dates, although I know that the likelihood is slim. Either way, they’ve released a stunning comeback, and one that will certainly be on the minds of many at the end of the year.

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