Frozen by Doomed Era: A Death Metal Gem That’ll Freeze Your Soul (In a Good Way)
Let’s get one thing straight—Doomed Era’s Frozen isn’t your run-of-the-mill death metal album. Released back in 2001, this Austrian beast of a record hits hard, fast, and with enough grit to make you question whether you’ve been living life wrong all along. Self-released under their own label (because who needs gatekeepers when you’re this good?), the band cranks out eight tracks that feel like an icy punch to the gut. And yeah, it’s raw, but damn if it doesn’t leave its mark.
First off, let’s talk about “Damnation Of Salvation.” This track is a masterclass in how to blend brutality with melody without losing that razor-sharp edge. The vocals from Maria Ochabauer? Pure fire. She doesn’t just sing; she commands attention like some kind of vengeful deity summoning her followers to battle. Paired with Joachim Liebminger’s guitar work—which alternates between crushing riffs and sneaky little hooks—it’s the kind of song that sticks in your head long after the last note fades. It’s not perfect, mind you. There are moments where the production feels almost too lo-fi, but honestly? That adds to the charm. It’s real. Unfiltered. Like they didn’t have time for studio polish because they were too busy shredding faces.
Then there’s “Hateplosion,” which might as well be renamed “How to Ruin Someone’s Day in Four Minutes Flat.” If I had to pick one word for this track, it’d be relentless. Daniel Haberl on drums goes absolutely bonkers here, pounding away like he’s trying to break through the floorboards. Meanwhile, Christian Kayer holds down the low end with basslines so thick you could spread ‘em on toast. What makes this one unforgettable, though, is the way it builds tension before exploding into chaos. You can practically hear the band grinning wickedly as they tear everything apart. It’s messy, loud, and gloriously unhinged—a testament to why DIY death metal will always rule.
The rest of the album keeps the energy high, with tracks like “Bloodred Reality” and “Into Oblivion” delivering plenty of headbang-worthy moments. But what really ties everything together is Mike Schindler’s artwork and layout. It’s dark, eerie, and perfectly matches the vibe of the music inside. Armin Hauptmann’s photography deserves a shoutout too—it gives the whole package that cold, austere aesthetic that screams “Austria.”
Here’s the kicker, though: listening to Frozen feels like stepping into a time capsule. In 2001, while everyone else was obsessing over nu-metal or whatever Limp Bizkit nonsense was trending, Doomed Era stayed true to their roots. They weren’t chasing trends—they were carving out their own frostbitten corner of the metal world. And sure, maybe self-releasing meant fewer resources, but it also meant total creative freedom. No suits telling them to tone it down or add a poppy chorus. Just pure, unadulterated rage.
So, would I recommend Frozen? Absolutely. But fair warning: this ain’t background music. It demands your full attention—and probably a pair of earplugs if you value your hearing. Listening to it feels like standing outside in a blizzard, except instead of snowflakes, it’s riffs pelting you in the face. Weird analogy? Maybe. But hey, that’s death metal for ya.
Final thought: If Doomed Era ever decided to reunite and tour, I’d sell my left kidney for tickets. No joke.
