Lately I get a lot of quality records out of the regions of Latvia, Russia and Ukraine. Frailty is a doom/death-metal band out of Latvia. They recently released their debut album on the Russian doom label Solitude Productions. Is there something in the ground up there, which makes those bands sound so bleak, depressed and tormenting?

Considering this is their debut album, I have to say that I’m really impressed by the professionalism this release has. For example the artwork, this is done in beautiful black, grey and silver tones. Also the recordings of this album are perfect. Great first impression!

Musically Frailty makes dark, doom/death-metal that is both melodic and sorrowful, but also majestic and heavy. It’s pretty clear that bands as My Dying Bride and (old) Anathema, also made a huge impression in countries like Latvia. The influences of those bands are very, very obvious but you also hear some influences of bands like Morgion and Novembers Doom. This is not meant in a negative way, because this album is actually really, really good. In fact I think Frailty can easily cope with the bands they consider to be their influences. It’s been a long time since I heard such a great, moody, tormented and bombastic doom album!

The album starts off with an eerie, dark and evil sounding keyboard/electronics part, to be continued with some slow, deep and heavy sounding doom-metal. I have to give my respect to vocalist Martin, because his growls and grunts are amazing! A really heavy, low and deep voice, but where most grunters lack the capability to bring across any emotions, he succeeds!

From there on this band takes me on a journey through (what I can imagine in my mind how Latvia should be), the dark, cold and foggy forests and mountains covered in snow. Maybe that’s the magic recipe to make this bleak, dark and moody music! You have to live in a rough, dark and cold place. Hmm, my next holiday might be in Latvia! Awesome band with an awesome debut album that is a must have for every self respecting funeral doom-lover out there!