DEATHDOOM

.Review for Dona Eis Requiem, The Black Castle December 1, 2007.

Dona Eis Requiem began in 2005 with E.R. Mendoza as the vocalist and lyricist, J.E. Fleugeman on lead guitar, C. Bateman on rhythm guitar, Kevin C. on bass, M. Hunter on keyboard and backing vocals and J. Spitzer on drums. Having released the Grant Them Rest demo in March of 2006 as well as playing a few shows of their own, these men have come together to create more than music…these men have come together to form another element. An element which surpasses the quality of music and goes beyond. An element that does not only grace the ears but travels through them, penetrating the brain and entering the gateway within you, the gateway that is the power of thought, the gateway that is indeed, your mind.

With distinguished and ornate furor Dona Eis Requiem has grasped the concept of music and taken it to a statuesque plumb. Giving way to trajectory lyrics that draw inspiration from existence and the sorrow which lingers amongst it, the lyrics are not just sang, they are clearly felt. I have watched E.R. Mendoza perform… he does not merely sing the words, it looks as if he submits to the words he himself has so honestly conjured. He submits to them and together they speak to one another… back and forth as a conversation would take place, speaking and understanding one another. Dismally Lavish instrumentals give the lyrics a pathway to walk upon. As I have mentioned, I have had the pleasure to watch Requiem perform, as E.R. Mendoza shares relationship to his written word, the instrumentalists do the same with their instruments. J.E. Fleugeman, C. Bateman, Kevin C., M. Hunter and J. Spitzer do not only play their instruments, they seemingly become them. Speaking out through their instruments they are in no need of words, the music and the element they are creating says it all for them. As I watched Dona perform at the black castle on December 1st 2007 I noticed a change in the atmosphere as they graced the stage. As soon as words sprung to existence, as soon as the guitars were inaugurated and the drum and bass joined in symphony with the keyboard that element met it's genesis. Some about me decided to head bang, and some stood still and observed ,but as for me, I decided to close my eyes and take the music in, I decided to let it fill me completely… as I did so I felt as if the new birth of that element opened it's eyes and looked down upon the crowd, embracing us and shrouding us with it's vehement force. I felt as if it was that force and I and nothing else. In music it is important not only to listen and observe, but to develop a relationship with it as well. Let the music speak to you. Dwell upon it. Dona Eis Requiem has the perfect sound to landscape and meet such importance. D.E.R. in my opinion is nothing short of the darkest form of elegance. Requiem embraces the beauty within darkness. Within the dark embrace of such beauty there lies gratification. When you hear Requiem you are entranced, Dona Eis Requiem has the ability to grab at your attention and cease to let go. It is a strangled sort of pleasure in my opinion. When interviewing various people who had observed Requiem, many said that they found their sound to be "unique." I indeed find this to be true, I would have to say that Lamentations of a Fallen Angel and The Benediction of our Blessed Demise from the Grant Them Rest demo are my two favorite songs. They were as wonderful to witness as they are to merely listen. To give mention to any verbal form of superiority would not be doing Dona Eis Requiem justice. So I shall leave it at this. Dona Eis Requiem is more than just music. They are not something to be heard and forgotten. Dona Eis Requiem is beauty, Dona Eis Requiem is elegance, Dona Eis Requiem is the greatness that is dismal. Dona Eis Requiem is elemental. Dona Eis Requiem is a feeling. Dona Eis Requiem is indeed an atmosphere.

.Ashley N. Braithwaite.