Reviewed on 27-07-2010 by Arnstein H. Pettersen for Doom-metal.com

Compared to the first Rote Mare demo, 'Funeral Songs' has grown a tad darker and a tad heavier. It clearly remains in the vein of bands such as Reverend Bizarre, with thick fuzzy riffage and a pushy attitude. A very fit sound for such strong lyrics, which, by the way, has lost one of their aspects since 'American Terrorist': the strong political view. This time it's a more depressive approach where the Christian religion is in the line of fire; Phil clearly finds it utterly misleading and corrupting. Here he goes as far as to claim that it ruins life on earth: "My apocalypse is everyones, so that we can get along." Powerful stuff, just like the bass!

'Funeral Songs' is without doubt one of the heaviest traditional doom releases I've heard in a long time. Especially the semi-title track 'Funeral Song' will pass even the highest expectations. However, for those who were looking for Black Sabbath style riffage, then you'd be let down. It's just too heavy for any bounces in the riffage. On the other hand this is one of very few traditional doom projects who are massive enough and with the gravitational pull that would make it appeal to fans of something as unusual as Sunn O))). Undoubtedly, this could invoke it's very own end of the world, just like the lyrics proclaim a wish for, if the speakers were big enough. Or at least severely damage a small continent.

This CD would certainly appeal to fans of both aforementioned bands as well as those who enjoyed the two last YOB albums. But I feel I should warn all religious Christians, you might get really offended by the lyrics. On the other hand, the heavy-philes who do not mind the anti-Christian sentiment would do well in checking out Rote Mare.



Reviewer: Chris Papadakis
Demos : Rote Mare - Funeral Songs


(Self-Produced) Total Time: 50:14

This is the second demo CD of ROTE MARE from Australia which is actually a One Man’s project and Mr Phil Howlett is behind it. This demo exists in two editions first one out on 2005 and second one (the one that is reviewed here) released in 2006 featuring re recorded stuff with real drums. Five anthems of Pure Doom Metal in the vein of Black Sabbath Saint Vitus, Warning (first album period) with serious melodic and epic touches here and there, is what we shall listen in this release. To all those musical features that have been already mentioned please add some light Cathedral influences (first and second album) and some Celtic Frost touches (Morbid Tales era) and you will have the total mix. Excellent stuff and it is the title of the CD that describes so clearly what the listener will hear trapped in this CD, that any further reference will be a waste of time. Just let your self guide to this eternal vortex of bleak and sorrow that the music of this Rote Mare is creating slowly and painfully… Well I guess that I should add one more Doom outfit next to my favourite Australian bands of Raven Black Knight and Wizar’d and some others! Great!


Reviewer: Chris Papadakis



Funeral Songs II- Review by Mike at Hellride
 

Welcome to the one man doom abyss from down under. This is the second full length from Rote Mare with real drums in place of the previously programmed ones. And right from the gate you can tell where main and only Rote Mare man Phil Howlett's heart is at.....Doom! Lead off track "Altar Of Greed" clocks in at 16:38, quite a hefty chunk of time. And it's to Phil's credit that this track (along with the almost as long "Funeral Song" and "The Well Of Sorrows") are able to hold the attention well and don't drag a bit, despite the often slow pace. What is really impressive is the way in which the different sections ranging from softer instrumental interludes, to broad and deep doom with clean, mournful vocals, to more up tempo almost Celtic Frostish gutteral vocaled sections all tie together as one song, definitely not sounding like multiple songs stitched together.

Composition is also thankfully not the only area in which Mr. Howlett was blessed with talent. In addition to the above mentioned mournful desolate (but not all goth weepy) vocals, he has a good ear for simple and memorable melodies and is capable of a great classic doom guitar tone, which at times is just stunningly great (like the first heavy riff of "Altar Of Greed"). The three tracks (mentioned above) of the four altogether are similar in nature but stand clearly as separate compositions. The other track the 2:20 "The Ride" carries it's own unique downer vibe, sort of what a Nick Cave ballad might sound like if his roots had been in doom instead of punk.

It's not a flaw free disc. The real drums, although a thankful replacement for the programmed ones (a real pet hatred of mine) and on beat, are not as adventurous as this material would allow. Hopefully one day a full band (with Mr. Howlett maintaining guitar/vocal duties a must) will rectify that. As it is this is a great disc and guaranteed to at the very least be a sought after item amongst the underground traders of the future. If the right breaks make there way down under this could lead to some classic stuff.


Review- GL Productions for Funeral Song

Rote Mare – Funeral Songs Longtime DOOM maniac Phil Howlett have unleashed his second opus from his one man combo Rote Mare, American Terrorist came a year ago and this one came out late last year. Funeral Songs are 5 pieces in a playing time of 40-45 minutes and I tell you after have spent several spins this is far from grinding metal you can get. Howlett takes his influences and turns them into something that is right out of the schoolbook of creating that certain mood and characteristic harmonies that deserves for this type of genre. Funeral Songs is a pretty uplifting travel, Phil have brought in some phrases from psalms for the tune Good News For The Modern Man. On the lyrical standpoint it is pretty much the usual, pain , sorrows, destruction, mourns and greed is the basic subjects , but even though it is painfully slow and tragically appearing metal have Funeral Songs progressive elements, acoustic stuff, Early Celtic Frost similar uptempo parts, a melancholic melodramatic gothic side, some examples of the variations of this demo and how well Phil have pieced together this excellent melodic opus. Mr Howlett have made a productive piece of work, he does everything here from all the playing to production, well done !!!. If I have to pick the tunes apart I choose the long ones, Altar Of Greed, the title track and the closing The Well Of Sorrows, those are more closer to my mind than the others. Funeral Songs present a down, destructive, mournful and tragically dark world, but there is a lot of hope in the end of the tunnel. A excellent release ! Labels, watch out for this one !