Monumentum - In Absentia Christi

Here we have the first band in what I call the Italian Doom movement. No, the movement is not documented or even real, it is just a little arbitrary designation I have for bands like Ras Algethi, Canaan, Neronoia and the like, and Monumentum were the first.

Roberto Mammarella was the main man behind Monumentum, but had help along the way with members of Ataraxia, Canaan... and oh, Roberto also was in the stunning Cultus Sanguine and owns the super awesome cult label Avantgarde Music.

This is Monumentum's debut album, they only had two full length albums, and is a good point of departure and blue-print for many bands to follow. You can hear this style aped and expanded upon by many bands even today.

More info HERE and download HERE

Seigmen - Radio Waves

This is an amazing Norwegian rock record from the little known Seigmen. I was turned on to them by Mauro Berchi of Eibon Records and Canaan. It is sublimely melodic, with hints of electronica, and very soulful. Some of my friends like their other work, but this, their last studio album released in 1997, is the only album Seigmen recorded that I like, and I love this album.

After Seigmen's break up, there has some been some activity with a reunion, but not much since. Some of the members went on to form the awful stomach churning Zeromancer. Not much more to say about this album, other than it is definitely worth a listen.

More info HERE and download HERE