Tribulation - "Down Below"

Now, if you guys know anything about me, you would know that I'm the biggest sucker in the world for Atmospheric, Campy Metal.  So you're absolutely right, when I first listened to Tribulation back in 2009 with their debut album "The Horror", I was instantly hooked.  Not only were the instrumentals throttling and out of control, as well as technically sound, Tribulation had so much personality.  From the murky production to the gruesome lyrics and vocals Tribulation just had so much to offer.  But it was the little details that had me coming back.  The campy sound effects, the almost comical atmospheres, all of it together made me feel like I was watching some classic B-List Horror film, and I loved it all.   Tribulation returned in 2013 with the much more massive and in-depth "The Formulas of Death".  Tribulation brought back all the campiness in spades but accomplished so much more as well.  They started bringing in elements of Progressive Metal, Black Metal, Psych Metal and seemingly endless more.  It was completely over the top, half the time I was expecting Vincent Price himself to come in and give us some narration.  But Tribulation put it together ridiculously well, for an out of control metal album that was nothing short of a blast to listen to.  Tribulation returned in 2015 with "The Children of the Night", obviously still obsessed with all things horror.  But outside of the Blood-Soaked demons that filled their lyrics, there was just so much love here.  The band's instrumentals had gotten so gigantic, more than just heavy blasts.  No, Tribulation had become masters of modern Atmospheric metal.  The tracks here were obviously dark to ridiculous levels, but they were so well put together and structured masterfully.  There were few moments on "The Children of the Night" that didn't absolutely blow my mind.  So it's been a while since we've heard from Tribulation, and I've been patient.  And these singles, let me tell you, to quote the young people, are *ahem* straight fire.  Let's chat about this new Tribulation album.

This album starts off with “The Lament”.  Now, there’s always been such a great, classic Heavy Metal feel to Tribulation leading up to this album.  But from this intro, it’s stronger than ever, honest to God I would have thought that I had turned on something from Iron Maiden’s legendary discography.  It’s a very ominous intro, with some seriously eerie, atmospheric instrumentals.  But then it opens into this very straightforward, melodic, and thunderous opening verse.  And yea, these vocals are certainly rough around the edges and brutal.  But overall, “The Lament” is actually a pretty easy metal tune to digest.  As heavy and as intense as this track gets throughout, there’s still an amazing amount of melodic elements to this, from the very anthemic guitars to the addicting atmosphere.  In general, “The Lament” is a fantastic intro to the Tribulation sound.  It’s cinematic, over-the-top, and everything I crave in Metal.   Tribulation over the years has really evolved wonderfully, bringing in tons of other Metal genres to really go with their old school sound.  For example, “Nightbound” brings in some more Progressive Metal elements.  But let’s be clear, this is more of a Black Metal project than anything.  It remains melodic and incredibly grand, however, which is something I certainly love.  The guitars just come off so anthemic and end up leading to some of the catchier riffs here.  Even the other instrumentals that pop in throughout are just so well thought out.  I feel like between all of the crushing instrumentals on display, Tribulation does know how to craft a wonderful Rock tune.  Not to mention, with “Nightbound” Tribulation haven’t let up at all with this atmosphere. This track is armed with these incredibly wailing guitars come in and give off that great feel that we’re through some ridiculously over-the-top horror movie.  I have to say though, if you’re new to genres like this, this may be a really great place to start.   As this album pummels on with “Lady Death”, I have to keep pointing out just how masterful some of these atmospheres.  Yes, they’re on the verge of being cartoonish and a little ridiculous.  I mean, hell, the organs playing throughout these very determined riffs and grizzly vocals are practically cartoonish.  But if you like your Metal so beyond the realm of being, you’re going to eat this up.  I love how determined “Lady Death” is, not to mention those incredibly polished and skillful guitar solos are just so refreshing to hear.  Tribulation has such an appreciation for Metal veterans, which goes without saying.  But tracks like “Lady Death” end up being catchy when they need to be, without letting up any aggression or viciousness, and that’s special. 

    This goes without saying, but I can’t help but eat up so much of this album.  “Subterranea” up next is so campy, I feel like I’m watching a grown-up episode of Goosebumps.  I love the creeping instrumentals and the simple yet effective pianos.  When this one breaks out into the gigantic song that I knew it could be, however, I’m almost sending some Doom Metal undertones.   Honestly, I feel like some fans of Ghost B.C. might even be into this.   Sonically, “Subterranea” is one of the most interesting songs here.  Not to mention, I’m not sure how I’ve gone this far without saying it, but the production on this album is immaculate.  I feel like as a whole, this album is just such a great example of how gigantic Metal can be a little shining up.  “Subterranea” is tense and pulverizing, but it’s also beautiful and majestic to levels that I really thought I wouldn’t hear in current Metal.  “Purgatorio” on the other hand is a different beast.  This is the slowest, most patient and most atmospheric track here yet.  And to be perfectly honest, if you’re a metal purist this may just seem like child’s play to you, and that’s for reasons a whole lot bigger than the music box sound effects floating through this one.  But I feel like Tribulation does really make “Purgatorio” work with great tension and even greater attention to detail.  Obviously, this isn’t a jaw-dropping performance or a track to write home about.  But, I feel like this is a really solid interlude that works with their style so well.   However Tribulation rockets back into form with “Cries From the Underworld”.  I love just how ridiculously triumphant so much all of this is, and these guitars are just so gigantic and huge.  Now, this one curtails means business, it’s a whole lot more crushing and aggressive.  But on top of that, this isn’t nearly as catchy.  But that doesn’t mean “Cries From the Underworld’ is any less memorable.  On the contrary, I love just how dense the atmosphere continues to be, and just how ridiculously skilled Tribulation are when it comes to their playing.  Not to mention, I absolutely love Johannes Andersson’s vocals here and just how un-apologetically ugly they are.  So no, “Cries From The Underworld” isn’t as catchy or strangely melodic.  But it’s easily still memorable, especially with that last minute's absolutely gigantic instrumental finale. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_4thg_JFcs

    Now, for anyone who so far may have been a little unhappy with just how un-aggressive this album may or may not be, “Lacrimosa” is the answer to each one of your devilish prayers.  This one is easily the most blood pumping, muscular track here.  It’s filled with the same attention to detail though, and I still can’t get over just how proficient the playing is.  Once again, I wouldn’t say this is near as strangely melodic as some of the early tracks here.  But it’s the amount of attention to detail though that continues to be the best element to this album.  The wailing guitar solos, and that bizarre semi-chanting blowing through the background which is just so bizarre and hard to place.  Not to mention, the extended guitar solos here are really nice to hear.  It’s a blistering track, and easily one of the more epic tunes here.  Then we have “The World”, which is just all gravy as far as I’m concerned.  The pouring drums are epic as hell, and the entire aesthetics to this where it sort of sounds retro but it also sounds all gussied up is just so cool.  The vocals have officially peaked at their grizzliest, and I just love how in-your-face they are.  Interestingly enough, this is one of the shortest tunes here.  But I feel like Tribulation still wraps up their sound very quickly and nicely.  I wouldn’t say “The World” is the most epic tune here, and at the end of the day it is a little straightforward.  But it does sum up everything about this band that’s wonderful in a quick, concise swoop.  But I think the last minute of this may be one of the more powerful, where Tribulation to an extent turns this track into a damn funeral march.  But it just seems so legitimately filled with sorrow that I can’t say no.  Now, speaking of emotion, the opening notes of “Here Be Dragons” are some of the dreariest and most powerful on the entire project.  These keyboards are all just so somber.  But of all the slow tunes here, I just sort of feel like this one doesn’t scratch me the same way.  This isn’t nearly as epic, this isn’t a celebration of classic Metal meets current Black Metal.  “Here Be Dragons” is sadly just lackluster.  Not to mention, the chorus here is just so flat that it takes the wind out of me.   Tribulation then stretches this track out over 7-minutes.  Now, I have to commend just how emotional is, and some of the playing, namely the drums, is incredibly solid.  But everything else here is a letdown.  But with just how powerful and entertaining the rest of this album is, I can deal. 

Rating: 8.5/10

Give A Listen To: "The Lament", "Lady Death", "Subterranea", "Lacrimosa" 

Genre: Heavy Metal / Black Metal / Gothic Metal / Campy Over-The-Top Cheesy Metal which I can't get enough of. 

Overall Thoughts: Tribulation for years have built up their sound, often in bringing campy sound effects and plenty of Gothic atmospheres to create a very distinct sound.  But this may just be their finest work yet.  First off, the production on here is pristine, Tribulation sure has come a long way since their first, muddy EP.  But it's a whole lot more than that with "Down Below".  The performances are much more aggressive, the vocals are more grizzly, and the instrumentals are proficient and wild.  But the most curious element here is just how much Tribulation respect the past of the genres they toy with.  This album is often epic and grandiose, even gorgeous occasionally, and incredibly gratifying.