Unlike the name implies VINUM SABBATUM do not play a super-heavy form of Doom of ELECTRIC WIZARD. The band is closer to the Retro side of Doom and to some they may sound as a bad-ass, darker version of WITCHCRAFT. I don’t think this is a very successful comparison but what the heck; Retro Doom is quite straightforward to understand once you listen to it.

Earlier this year the German label “Eyes Like Snow” re-released the long-gone demo of the band but allow me to say that “Bacchanale Premiere” VINUM SABBATUM’s long awaited debut, is at least 10 times better in the songwriting department. I would say that the style of the band is almost intact. The retro production, the vocal style, the smart use of Hammond organ, everything is here but in this case the band sounds much more bonded and all compositions have more depth.

To this you will have to add an obvious swift to proto-Doom musical paths rather than the traditional Doom style they had on their demo.

There are two things that made me fall in love with VINUM SABBATUM: The first one is, the very characteristic tone of Janne Salo’s voice along with the in-front, louder-than-necessary, vintage way it comes out in the production. The second one is the great solos which sound as if the come straight from a lost tape of some great band of the 70’s hidden in some basement.

Fans of CACTUS, BLACK SABBATH and IRON CLAW you might just have found your new favorite band.