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The engine behind this band is definitely Leif Edling. He stopped making new albums with Candlemass, but didn't stop recording albums. What else then doomy stuff can you expect from the man who's bass is the drive behind the music of Candlemass and Krux? You can describe the music as Krux with a female singer, a progressive touch and 70's rock influences like we know them from Rainbow/Jethro Tull.

Especially Marcus Jidell (Evergrey) uses a lot of Blackmore influences in his guitar playing. The angelic (and sometimes fragile) voice of Jennie-Ann Smith reminds me in some songs of Candice Night, especially in the track "Moonhorse". The emotion, the poetic lyrics accompanied by the acoustic guitar even make me think of Blackmore's Night. As soon as the heavy doom riff starts, this resemblance is gone. Her more metal (or should I say doom) singing style sticks perfect to the music.

In several songs Sabbath can be jealous about the heavy doom riffs. Many doom albums make you depressive, but Jennie-Ann's singing, the seventies sound and the keyboard parts (Carl Westholm) prevent that. A song like "Bird of Prey" could almost have been a Candlemass track, but due to more keyboards and the female vocals it isn't. I am impressed the most by Jennie-Ann (and not only because of her good looks), but by her beautiful emotional angelic singing and also her more bluesy timbre in the heavier parts. For me she makes the difference from lots of doom bands. The album closes with an emotional ballad in which Jennie puts herself in the spotlight again. With this album Avatarium shows that you still can record interesting stuff within the doom genre.

All slow music lovers take a listen and I'm sure the music of Avatarium will put a spell on you.

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