Tales of Mike is a German heavy/doom metal project launched in 2022 by Michael Heß to honor his brother Markus, who passed away in 2010. In August 2023, he released on digital format the EP Landscape of Sorrow containing three tracks, totaling 14 minutes. This blend of epic heavy metal and doom metal is composed to create intense sensations for listeners. In January 2024 the album was released on physical format via Fetzner Death Records.
From the first notes of the opening track, RIP (Landscape of Sorrow), the melancholic atmosphere of the EP is immediately established. This loud and emotionally charged track naturally immerses the listener in a world overwhelmed by sorrow. The emotion is so strong that it can be felt in both the music and the vocals, which alternate between clear singing, growls, and chanting, creating a varied soundscape. This track is the landmark of the EP, and it's impossible not to listen to it again to appreciate all the emotions it conveys.
The other two tracks are directly a heavy/doom metal with an epic touch. Unlike the first track, the rhythm becomes faster with an exemplary production. I particularly enjoyed the vocals, which evoke many classics of both heavy and doom metal. Landscape of Sorrow is an EP filled with emotions. Listening to it was an unforgettable experience for me. I will definitely listen to it again to savor all the artistic talent it hold
Rating : 8,5/10
To listen : Spotify
TO ORDER: Fetzner Dath Records