Band's List Doom Metal Elbereth (ESP-1) ...And Other Reasons

It's difficult to know how to rate this one. I like it for it's unusual qualities and for the fact it's well played and also for it's interesting artwork, but something is just lacking.
After several listens I figured out it just lacks oomph.
The music is tight and mostly mid paced female fronted Doom metal, which for the time ( mid 90's) was quite unsuual as Doom metal then tended to be slow, with grunted male vocals. There's also the occasional violin and an intro which sounds like it could be off Braveheart.
The female vocals are sung rather than used in an operatic fashion, but they do lack a bit of power and sound quite flat
It would of been better considering the imagery, if it had more Gothic touches, and didn't sound so happy. Yes that's right, this release actually sounds happy and fairly upbeat in places.

To sum it up, it's not a terrible album, but it doesn't blow your socks off either and it is a competent effort. It's worth owning even if it's for it's rarity factor. It's a great example of what was going off in the mid 90's with the increase of obscure releases from small time bands and labels, baroque imagery and the rise of the Doom/ Death metal scene. So if you're a mid 90's metal fan, then get a copy !!