Skepticism — The Process of Farmakon

After a few years waiting the masters of Funeral Doom, Skepticism, are finally back to serve us an appetiser to their upcoming new full length 'Farmakon'. This appetiser shows us two sides of Skepticism, their well-known and trusted sound and something I can only describe as Skepticism being "experimental".

The first track 'Backward Funeral and the Raven' is pretty much what we have come to expect from Skepticism. It is a clear and honest continuation of the 'Aes' Mcd and shows that Skepticism still know how to write great funeral songs. The second song is perhaps the most experimental song that I have heard of Skepticism. In essence 'The Process of Farmakon' is not that different from other Skepticism songs, but everybody will immediately notice the "bubbly sample".

Throughout the entire song, we hear this very strange sample of what seems to be a test-tube bubbling. Given the name of the track 'The Process of Farmakon', it is my guess that this is supposed to symbolise just that, the process of making a Farmakon (Pharmakon is Greek for poisonous medication - bad medicine), the sample makes perfect sense in that way. However, I find it rather distracting and don't feel that it really adds to the music or the sad atmosphere. It adds a quite unintended comical factor to the song. This while the rest of the song still sounds ultra depressive.

The song also has a rather odd ending, that involves somebody just hitting all the keys on the organ at once, which is rather annoying at first, but you do get used to it. Actually you even get used to the bubbles after a while.

After the last song and plus minus a minute of silence, we are treated to a small end bit/bonus track of just solemn drums and guitars rolling along. Perfect music for... a funeral. Absolutely stunning and I hope this may be a song they worked out further on the full length. For now most definitely a great tension building outro.

Despite my criticism of the bubble sample, I think this is one of the best slaps of Doom I've heard lately. Of course I did not expect any less of Skepticism and they did not let me down one bit (well perhaps the bubbles). I find it amazing that Skepticism manage to keep their songs interesting throughout all the albums they have released so far. And it looks like 'Farmakon' will be no exception.