| Musical Style: Doom Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Apollon | Country Of Origin: Norway |
| Year Released: 2025 | Artist Website: Zebulon |
| Tracks: 6 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 41:14 |
With its name deriving from Hebrew and signifying a place of honor or residence and also in reference to the twentieth son of Jacob, the patriarch of the Jewish people whose name later changed to Israel, Zebulon contains the spirit of epic doom metal on its Apollon Records November of 2025 debut full length Come Day Of Reckoning. The Jaeren, Norway based quintet delivers the doom swayed goods in terms of a bleakly forlorn ambience, haunting melodies, plodding tempos and thickset riffs but also that epic in form of dramatic vocals walking a fine line between mid-ranged and high end and an unmistakable progressiveness. Lyrically, the group explores themes of judgment and faith.
Doom metal cohorts coming to mind in terms of comparison include Trinity, Nomad Son and Pÿlon, but when further factoring the Zebulon penchant for lengthy songwriting - Come Day Of Reckoning features six songs but track times averaging seven minutes and topping out at nine - Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus deserve mention. I might also reference Veni Domine, albeit Zebulon does not bring a similar soaring and operatic vocal penchant, and Sombre Holiday, noting Zebulon sidesteps any comparable overriding Gothic overtures. Another potential point of reference is My Darkest Time, but Zebulon does not go the symphonic female and occasional extreme male vocal routes.
Opener “Reap The Fruits Of Famine” despondently toils its deliberate seven minutes, manifesting the epic doom aesthetic with drudging riffs and downcast aura articulating of the bluesy melancholic. Force only elevates for the extended instrumental run carried by caustic duel lead guitar, noting the work of Kenneth Olsen and Torstein Fuhr Obrestad. Song later returns to its bleak endeavoring to close.
“Day Of Wrath” gradually hammers forward from the start, ominously portent in picking up pace slightly for coldly chilling verse sections only to settle down for a barging refrain of a billowing capacity. All the while, a haunting melody rises to the surface- very catchy and in an understated sense. Instrumental run yields to flinching harmonies and eerie Hammond B3, which transitions to lower-register vocals touching upon the baritone. Lyric snippet:
Oh, what fear man's bosom rendeth
When from heaven the Judge descendeth
On whose sentence all dependeth
Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth
Through earth's sepulchres it ringeth
All before the throne it bringeth
Death is struck, and nature quaking
All creation is awaking
Third seven-minute song in a row “Headstone” accents a strong progressiveness. First minute and half runs instrumentally, as ringing bells and reverberant bass supplement shadowy rhythm guitar. Remaining five and half weave between moments calmly foreboding in a borderline Gothic sense (reminding of 2004 fourth Veni Domine album The Album Of Labour) and those elevated as subduing rhythm guitar makes a threatening statement (hooks are inconspicuous but intriguing all the same). Instrumental moments combine aspects of the ambient and caustic.
Three songs in and it deserves note the finely done vocals of Kristian Berge Nessa, whom similar to many doom vocalists trends toward the middle to lower register but separates with a classic tenor penchant allowing him to go for a high note at moments notice.
“Break Bread With The Dead” is albums shortest at five minutes. It also is lone cut to break from the doom mold, grounded in a forward tempo upon traditional heavy metal allowing for elevated doses of energy but not backing from the group’s inarguable melody basis. Lending further power is timekeeper Frode Efteland’s commanding rolls and fills. Lyric snippet:
For as the bell tolls
withering leaves fall
And you break bread with the dead
You were there when mountains fell
When your world merged with hell
As you break bread with the dead
You saw the horizon fall
This is the end all, be all
A return to seven-minute territory with “Where The Dead Hands Linger”. Song proves another disconsolate powerhouse, innate to ambient feedback and portent bass for its opening instrumental minute but also emboldened for the final six to see voluminous rhythm guitar and equally considered harmonies collide to propagate the inconsolable. The straight from the abyss instrumental run - including off kilter bells and mournful sighs - gives way to the bluesy backend soloing covering the final minute. Kudos to the group for composing material that is staggering but accessible at the same time- no repetition here.
Album closes to nine minute epic “Deathless”. Initial moments are surprisingly calm with acoustic guitar, clashing symbols and gentle vocals gracefully leading the way until an abrupt about face as rhythm guitar wallops in to plod impetus forward the remaining distance. I sense a caustic if not bottom heavy mourning akin to Switzerland’s Pÿlon, mirrored in the volatile edge to vocals, curtly woven refrain and a brief return to a bottomless acoustic direction. It goes without saying the Zebulon progressive influence is understated. Lyric snippet:
I am Deathless
Cremate to create
I am Endless
Reborn to remain
Ancient of days
Show me the ways
I am Deathless
Reborn to remain
Doom metal fans can rejoice in Zebulon debut full length Come Day Of Reckoning. All the ingredients are in place in form of strong production, varied from lower register to high-end vocals and well-rounded musicianship. I appreciate the lengthy songwriting, noting how each of the albums six tracks leaves a finely honed repeat play impression. If a fan of doom metal or any acts mentioned do yourself a favor and make Come Day Of Reckoning a priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Reap The Fruits Of Famine” (6:53), “Day Of Wrath” (6:46), “Headstone” (6:51), “Break Bread With The Dead” (5:01), “Where The Dead Hands Linger” (6:48), “Deathless” (8:55)
Musicians
Kristian Berge Nessa - Lead Vocals
Kenneth Olsen - Guitars
Torstein Fuhr Obrestad - Guitars
Oddmund Solheim - Bass
Frode Efteland - Drums
