Embrace - Coven the Eternal. 1996 Canada

I love discovering albums such as Coven the Eternal. Especially these 1990s albums that were released to an audience of no one in particular. Completely under the radar, without hype or praise to be found anywhere. Embrace were a band from Canada who are ostensibly part of the doom metal genre. The music is primarily slow paced, with female vocals and even some atmospheric keyboards. And crunchy metal guitars of course. The cynic in me says that doom metal is a great entry point for those still learning to play their instruments. But it's this kind of amateurism where the allure lies. Especially in the composition department, as who the heck knows what they will come up with, even if it's within the tight confines of the genre. Embrace are sincere, but not overly earnest as some of the more unintentionally comical metal bands can be. Something to be proud of years later to share with your kids and grandkids (wow Mommy was a total subversive!). There's nothing here that screams must own, but if it happens to waft by on some random sale list, grab it - especially if bands such as Saint Vitus and Candlemass are to your taste.

CD: 1996 private

Yes - it's as private as it gets too. Total independent spirit. Not even in RYM as I write this.