Album Review: Bretus – Magharia (The Swamp Records/Overdrive Records/Burning Coffin Recs)

Carl Fisher 2 min read

Bretus are a doom metal band from the South of Italy, founded in the year 2000. Born to pay homage to the great interpreters of doom/stoner/psych, they cite old horror movies, H.P. Lovecraft, mysticism and 70’s music as their inspirations.

Magharia is their latest album, due out on May 7th 2021 digitally. With the CD being released via The Swamp Records (USA), vinyl via Overdrive Records (Italy) and the cassette via Burning Coffin Recs.

A concept album surrounding Italian ghost tales, legends and myths. Bretus have impressed us previously. With from the Twilight Zone in 2017 and Aion Tetra in 2019 but Magharia is a bit of a different beast. Not in regards to the old-school doomy noise they portray but rather, the way in which they choose to express it. The idea of basing the album on ghost tales and more adds an ethereal spookiness and wonder to the events.

 

 

We have a gloomy record here but it’s also one with a ton of fuzziness and heavy groove. Lurching from doom to intense psych and beyond, Bretus are masters of making everything feel like liquid. Magharia is liquid heavy metal, filling up all the cracks and voids in a psyche with an array of sinister and sultry ideas. Is it sexy? It sure sounds it at times.

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Don’t fear the extravagance that comes with such a blend, focus on the most important aspect of Magharia and that is its doom sound. It is what Bretus do so well, albeit with punishing aspects of heavy metal too. Here, they can be as groovy as they can be as heavy. As thick as molasses while as transparent as glass. As eerie as a dark, moonless night and as comforting as a warm fire.

Magharia should be an easy sell thanks to its addictive nature. Bretus deserve a ton more attention and hopefully this is the album that really gets them it.

Bretus – Magharia Full Track Listing:

1. Celebration of Gloom
2. Cursed Island
3. Moonchild’s Scream
4. Necropass
5. Nuraghe
6. Headless Ghost
7. The Bridge of Damnation
8. Sinful Nun
9. Magharia




Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram

Author

  • Owner/Administrator/Editor/Writer/Interviewer/YouTuber - you name it, I do it. I love gaming, horror movies, and all forms of heavy metal and rock. I'm also a Discworld super-fan and love talking all things Terry Pratchett. Do you wanna party? It's party time!

Bretus - Magharia (The Swamp Records/Overdrive Records/Burning Coffin Recs)
  • The Final Score - 8/10
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