Caanan
Of Prisoners, Wandering Souls and Cruel Fears

September 2012
Released: 2012, Eibon Records
Rating: 2.0/5
Reviewer: Metal-Rules.com UK Team

‘Of Prisoners, Wandering Souls and Cruel Fears’ is the seventh full length album released by Italians Caanan. It can in no way be described as ‘upbeat’ or ‘catchy’. The band’s lyrical theme revolves around depression, desolation and, isolation and the music never gets much beyond a dirge. But I suppose that is the point of dark ambient doom metal…



After a promising intro this synth and guitar heavy record fails to ever get off the ground musically. It does contain some nice synth soundsand pretty female vocals, counters with spoken male vocals, however the purposely overly heavy distortion and dragging pace makes this a depressing listen. The style would put most listeners off being open to the ideas behind the music, which is shame when it is evident a lot of effort had gone into the concept of this 2 disc album. To be brutally honest it sounds like goth constantly played a little bit too slow, and it is easy to lose interest or not even notice that the music is playing. This is possibly how goth sounds to non-goths! To make matters worse it is difficult to distinguish between songs, meaning it merges into one long soundtrack (perhaps the point).



If you enjoy the sound of desperate self-indulgent depression and need some background music, this is the record for you. If not avoid! This reviewer has endured it so you don’t have to!



Review by Victoria Fenbane