MABOOL - THE STORY OF THE THREE SONS OF SEVEN

Wouldn't call it essential, but definitely worth its few spins. Some will like it, others will not, mostly because of the use of death vocals. But don't let that scare you away. They are used sparingly and their are other vocal concepts used, and different languages as well, Hebrew and Latin if I'm right, correct me if I am wrong.

Anyway, onto the music. There's a lot of substance here and a lot of crossing of genre boundaries, a big plus in my book. The album focuses on many different religious concepts, without favoring or "preaching" any specific religion. Its more about discussing the history in religious texts than it is telling you to be anything, with the title track, the Flood, having the most obvious religious base.

I find most of the songs hit or miss. Some I find boring and dull, pretty uninspiring, while others I find remarkable. And when they are of the remarkable kind, they are really amazing. My favorites are Ocean Land, with its middle eastern flavor mixed with death metal, and the title track, which is a great "journeymen" type of song with all sorts of intricacies.

If you are just a little bit open to the metal genre, you will find this album much to your liking. Definitely worth your time.