Doomsword

While many Italian heavy metal acts favor flamboyant and exaggerated approaches, as illustrated by Rhapsody and Labyrinth with their emphasis on symphonic, operatic, or progressive songwriting, the stripped-down doom metal delivered by aptly named Doomsword provides a welcome change. The band’s releases, among them a self-titled debut in 1999, Resound the Horn in 2002, and Let Battle Commence in 2003, still tackle ambitious subjects drawn from ancient history and mythology. Across the group’s history and its constantly shifting roster, however, Deathmaster—the vocalist, guitarist, and central guiding force—has largely avoided the excesses typical of his compatriots.