Musical Style: Doom Metal	Produced By:
Record Label: Independent	Country Of Origin: Macedonia
Year Released: 2019	Artist Website: True Wisdom
Tracks: 7	Rating: 80%
Running Time: 36:35

Anyone looking for a quality melodic doom metal album must place spring of 2019 True Wisdom sophomore effort Towards… on his or her short list.  The project of multi-instrumentalist and Macedonia native Zarko Atanasov, whom also is known for the Gothic to doom to symphonic to extreme metal of his main band My Darkest Time, True Wisdom returns subsequent to 12 year hiatus following the 2007 release of its instrumental four song debut EP Ecclesiastes 7:2.  Long term Angelic Warlord readers will recall the two paragraph ‘mini review’ I wrote of the EP, which I described as ‘ambient instrumental (music) of the keyboard variety (to) put in place a Goth-like setting that comes across dark, haunting and doom tinged in its capacity’.
 
No doubt Towards… stay true to many of the Gothic and ambient sentiments of Ecclesiastes 7:2, as revealed in its moody and downcast setting and focus on ethereal (if not lengthy) instrumental moments, but it remains its own project in traversing heavier territory to find guitars making a defined metal based statement and bass further rounding out the low end.  It also stays true to the melodic from sidestepping the aggression - no extreme vocals - that might push things into repetitious or overbearing territory.  Further separating Towards… is how it features soprano front lady Marnia Atanasova, whom with her becoming silky style walks a fine line between the somber and lower register. 

“Clarity” comes across surprisingly up-tempo for a doom metal album opener.  It flows forwardly from the get go, crisp with its succinct guitar edges but heightened by the assertiveness t to its expansive low end.  It also sets precedent with an extended instrumental jam to touch upon the feedback driven and even the psychedelic.  Lyrics stay true to the albums theme in coming across Psalm-like:

Joy of all joys
Beauty of all beauty
Scent of all truth,
Friend of my heart,
Fresh air,
Clarity of my mind.
Light of the lights
Beauty of all You are
I gaze upon You.

“You Are Not Alone” embodies the classic doom metal aesthetic in proving not just slowing in touching upon the trenchantly mid-paced, but also heavier, as found in the front to back imposing riff action.  Instrumental fortitude remains a priority from the distorted bass solo to close the final minute and a half.

“Call For Our Tears” proves even slower and more plodding.  Overall mood is of the dour, as verse sections slow to a sluggish bass driven crawl (with haunting vocals in the backend) and refrain picks up momentum in burly fashion (in reflecting upon the auspicious).  All the while melody does not forsake as Mania gracefully leads the vocal way.  “Call For Our Tears” comes across worshipful in this capacity:

He waits and calls,
He calls for our tears
He calls for our love
He is alive

Calmly He bore
his cross,
So bloody and
so cruel,
And our native land
From bloodshed
He can free…

“The Dawn Arises”, lone four minute cut in an album of those in the five to six minute range, builds upon impetus with its periodic wired double bass outbursts but also reflects upon the sublime as light worshipful elements adorn the forefront.  Again, I appreciate the instrumental emphasis as a mid-point break drifts to feedback driven leads and second to close the final minute slows further to stringent rhythms.

Four songs in and the finely honed production serves to impress, allowing clear cut rhythm guitars but also clean enough for bass and drums to evenly stand out.  Interestingly, keyboards are not used (far as I can tell), which I find further builds upon the albums stripped down feel (in the most positive sense).

“Death To The World” separates as another doom metal mauler.  The song mournfully trudges from the start, projecting a commanding aura over its bass heavy verses while elevating vestiges upon procuring the symphonic instilled refrain- all the while Middle Eastern tinctures distantly accent.  Instrumentally, things touch upon the fittingly direful.  “Death To The World” speaks of hope:

To be death
to the world
means to see
all thru
the happiness
of the resurrection
to see all the pain
in the power
of His cross

Give up on your passion
Give up on your pride
See the light
of the future life
Became one with Christ

Albums most exacting is “In One Moment”. Stalwart in terms of its copious guitar walls (some of the albums most pronounced) and rolling drum signatures but also melodic in light of the harmonizing to play every bit the distinct role.  Progressive facets reveal in the periodic back and forth time signatures to instrumental territory, which helps further extend the creativity.  “In One Moment” also touches upon the Psalm-like:

My soul is
crying for God
Lord save me
have mercy
on me

My heart can change
to good or evil
To love or hatred
How many danger
we don’t see
Help us O Lord
Have mercy on us
Help us O Lord

Plodder “To Survive” pays tribute to the bone chilling.  This reveals in its measured first half to feature ill-boding guitar and bass interplay, and second to gain gradually in impetus as guitars expand to reinforce the foreboding setting.  Albums best stretch of unabashed lead guitar carries things instrumentally. 

Towards… is a well-written and performed melodic doom metal album that does not hit you over the head in this capacity either.  Point being songwriting is of an accessible kind to prevent things from crossing into overbearing territory, while I find the clean female vocals a fresh change of pace in a format known for its overuse of extreme sentiments.  At just seven songs Towards… walks a fine line between EP and full-length territory, although elevated track times (again, mostly five to six minutes) help to better round it out while no filler presents.  Overall, fans of all things doom and related genres are encourages to give Towards… strong consideration.       

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Clarity” (5:33), “You Are Not Alone” (4:53), “Calls For Our Tears” (4:48), “The Dawn Arises” (3:51), “Death To The World” (6:17), “In One Moment” (6:03), “To Survive” (5:10)

Musicians
Marina Atanasova - Lead Vocals
Zarko Atanasov - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards & Drum Programming