When author Herman Melville penned his infamous novel Moby Dick back in
1851 he had no way of knowing it would become a deep, dark well of
inspiration for future generations of artists. Case in point with the
German Doom Metal band AHAB, who has created a unique soundtrack for
what is an undeniably unique story. Named after the novel’s tyrannical
ship’s captain, AHAB gives Melville’s words musical form, capturing the
tension and mood bleeding off the pages and bringing his revered tale
to life.
AHAB is the brainchild of MIDNATTSOL members Christian Hector (guitars) and Daniel Droste (vocals/guitars/keyboards), and former Endzeit-guitarist Stephan Adolf (bass, vocals). While it’s no surprise to find musicians in an established band trying their hand at another form of music, the choice of Moby Dick as a subject for an album is unusual.
“Well, the book is the best inspiration for a Doom band like AHAB,” says Hector. “I like the dark atmosphere of the film, but the book shows the tragedy of a man's mind even better. That's what inspired us the most. I've read the book twice in German and at the moment I'm reading the English version."
Not only has AHAB immortalized a classic book in song, they have the distinction of being one of the few noteworthy German Doom Metal bands in existence today with no bombastic aspirations, no commercial MTV flavour-of-the-week ambitions, and no holds barred.
AHAB’s debut album, The Call Of The Wretched Sea, is straightforward Funeral Doom Metal that will appeal to fans of revered veterans of the genre including MORGION and SHAPE OF DESPAIR, as well as those looking for something beyond the realms of the prefabricated, commercially acceptable aggression that many so-called metalheads find appealing in this day and age.
Since their initial demo The Oath, AHAB has become darker, heavier, and more atmospheric with the passing time. The expected heavily distorted Doom Metal dirges and brutal vocals intertwine with a Death Metal vibe reminiscent of old AMORPHIS, Gregorian-like clean vocal chants and short melodic interludes that complete a unique and ultimately hellish soundtrack to Melville’s tale of madness. Those expecting MIDNATTSOL-influenced Folk Metal elements to trickle down to The Call Of The Wretched Sea, will be disappointed; this is a different ship going in a very different direction.
Hector: "Funeral Doom for me is a kind of atmosphere, not only musically but lyrically as well. What makes this music attractive is the sheer brutality and heaviness of it - yet there are still many melodies in it. And of course it's a big counterpart to MIDNATTSOL artistically. I couldn't imagine playing similar music in two different bands. It's a totally different approach to music and writing."
Members:
Daniel Droste – guitars, voices, synths
Stephan Adolph – bass, background-vocals
Christian Hector – guitars
Discography:
- "The Oath" EP (2005)
- “The Call Of The Wretched Sea" (2006)
From: www.ahab-doom.de & www.napalmrecords.com
