Originally released in 1996 on
Pavement Records
,
Downfall
was reissued by
Crash Music
in 2002. Unfortunately, the reissue lacks many of the amenities that usually accompany such releases, so don't expect any bonus cuts or the like. The fourth album sees the Texas troupe experimenting a bit more from its
doom metal
origins, but not so much so as to alienate original fans.
"Deathwish,"
a relatively bouncy track powered by a great riff,
"Elysium,"
a three-minute spooky, effect-laden monologue of sorts, and
"These Are the Nameless,"
a galloping, stomping power
metal
paean, are deviations from the slow,
gothic
style the group excels at.
is the most complete album
Solitude Aeturnus
has made to date, even if purists might prefer the more straight-ahead, earlier
Roadrunner
material. ~ Brian O'Neill