Review Summary: A unique descent into beautiful despair accentuated by artistic choices rarely seen in the genre.
Nearly 8 years after their debut, Mourning Sun release a follow up that massively changed and improved their sound. Retaining and expanding upon the Ethereal Wave and Ambient influences they started with, they went all in on expansive, ominous soundscapes and minimalistic downtempo sections. Some of the sections pull from Post-Metal and Funeral Doom, crafting towering walls of sound that crescendo in accompaniment with beautiful, harmonized female vocals.
The aforementioned downtempo influences make the album one of the most unique in the Doom Metal genre. Combined with more subtle vocal deliveries, the quieter parts of the album sound similar to Bjork’s material, usually driven by electronic piano melodies and ambient synths. A few songs truly mix the Doom and Downtempo to create an entirely new sound.
The album not only shifts between genres, but also moods using harmony and dissonance. Beautiful piano melodies and vocal lines will be backed by harmonic walls of synths and guitar, or more subtle ambient sections to capitalize on a more “pretty” side of melancholic gloom, even sounding calm and comforting at times, but always with that tinge of sadness. On the other hand, also in abundance are sections of dissonant piano measures, oppressive synth walls, distorted percussion, and anxious vocals. These contrasting elements create a great range of emotions, running through both the beautiful, melodic side of Doom as well as the oppressive, anxiety inducing corner of the genre. Switching between these moods also highlight the strength of each.
One of the best albums of 2023, hands down, and an incredibly unique addition to the realm of Doom Metal.
