January 28th, 2017 - The Dim Days Of Double Skull

God kveld!  The Meista here pairing "Dim Days Of Dolor", the latest from Norwegian gothic/symphonic metal band Sirenia and a Double Skull Doppelbock Lager from Epic Brewing Company!


Album Info:

• Artist: Sirenia
• Title: "Dim Days Of Dolor"
• Recorded: July through September 2016 at Audio Avenue Studios in Tau, Rogaland, Norway, Sound Suite Studios in Marseille, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
• Release date: November 11th, 2016 (8th full-length studio album by Sirenia)
• Record company: Napalm Records
• Production: Morten Veland
• Album cover art: Gyula Havancsák
• Personnel: Morten Veland (vocals, guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, and programming) and Emmanuelle Zoldan (lead vocals)
• Additional musicians: Joakim Næss (vocals on "Dim Days of Dolor" and "Veil of Winter") and the Sirenian Choir (Emilie Bernou, Mathieu Landry, and Damien Surian)
• Musical style: Symphonic metal, gothic metal with hints of doom metal and death metal
• Sound: Maybe not as "aggressive" as previous recordings, with "Dim Days Of Dolor" continues to embrace their bold, bombastic sound.  Zoldan's mezzo-soprano vocals are, in a word, MASSIVE!  I'm completely and utterly mesmerized!  Musically, the album is richly complex, darkly and hauntingly beautiful, and powerful.   And guest vocalist Næss is a really nice addition.
• Major themes: Gothic, fantasy, and mythological themes exploring death, sorrow, isolation, desire, suffering, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Goddess Of The Sea"
2. "Dim Days Of Dolor"
3. "The 12th Hour"
4. "Treasure N' Treason"
5. "Cloud 9"
6. "Veil Of Winter"
7. "Ashes To Ashes"
8. "Elusive Sun"
9. "Playing With Fire"
10. "Fifth Column"
11. "Aeon's Embrace"
12. "Aeon's Embrace" (bonus French version)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Epic Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://epicbrewing.com/
• Brew: Double Skull Doppelbock Lager (Release #43)
• Style: Doppelbock
• Serving: 22 ounce bottle
• ABV: 8.0%
• Ingredients:  It is brewed with Muntons Maris Otter, Weyermann Pilsner, Briess Bonlander Malt, Munich Malt, Briess Aromatic Malt, Weyermann Cara Munich II, and Carafa III, along with Premiant, Tettnang, and Perle hops to balance out the heavy malts.
• Pour: The Double Skull  pours a glowing dark amber with a 1-finger light tan head that dissipates quickly, leaving only a thin ring and minimal lacing.
• Nose: The nose is toasty, roasty, malty, spicy, and sweet with just a hint of hop bitterness.   There are slight hints of dark fruit and great toasted bread aromas and even notes of grassy herbs. 
• Taste: Upfront, the Double Skull is a bit aggressive, but it smooths as you delve deeper.  The heavy use of malts and the sweeter caramel and hop notes really balance out the higher alcohol content for an enjoyable drinking experience.  The flavor is all about the malt... huge notes of baked bread and biscuit.
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with lower carbonation, the mouthfeel is chewy, thick, and very smooth with a fairly dry and sweet finish. 

Overall pairing: Doppelbocks were originally brewed by fasting German monks as "liquid bread".  Rich and hearty, these ales would sustain the monks during their winter fasting periods.  Following that tradition, the Double Skull Doppelbock Lager from Epic Brewing Company is rich and filling.  This is hearty stuff my friends... as is "Dim Days Of Dolor"!  Like the Epic Brewing, Sirenia employs dark, bold, and powerful notes filled with bombast and rich flavor!

Saúde!!  Skål!!