"If you like doom metal, you have to acquire this classic. While very obviously inspired by the likes of Candlemass (there's even a silly Candlemass-like narrative voice on one of the tracks), "Into the Depths of Sorrow" is nonetheless original in its own way. Firstly, it contains several heavy riffs that are based on Middle Eastern scales, which has more or less become a trademark of SA's. Secondly, the incorporation of power metal elements (and eastern influences) creates a genre that is not as blues inspired as many first generation doom bands were (still, there are some cool pentatonic riffs on this album). Thirdly, SA's compositions one this album are more complex than was typical of the doom metal at the time. And lastly, there's Rob Lowe's voice - that in itself is worth buying the album for."
"Ah... doom metal from the depths of depression, "Beyond the Crimson Horizon" is a really melancholic and heavy, melodic and inspiring release. When I was a teen, I listened to this album extensively on my walkman till somehow my cassette tape was lost, and, yesterday, I found "Beyond the Crimson Horizon" in CD-store in Copenhagen. And so, I bought it, went home and rediscovered it, only to find that, so many years down the line, I still think it's the coolest doom metal I've ever heard.
This release contains some really, really cool, heavy, doom-laden guitar-riffs, some of which are ground-breaking (or were, at the time) and innovative, while others are classical doom riffs. The vocals are, while not as complex as those of John Arch, melodically complex and hauntingly otherworldly as they often follow exotic melodic patterns. Following the likes of Black Sabbath and Candlemass, SA's compositions on this album are quasi-complex with time changes aplenty, but without it becoming too much for mainstram ears. This album is the epitome of melodic doom metal!"
