The 11th Hour – Lacrima Mortis (Review)
Genre: Doom
Label: Napalm Records
Coming out next month, Lacrima Mortis (translates to Tear of Death) is the second offering from the Dutch doom mastermind Ed Warby, who is showing not only songwriting growth, but also a penchant for crushing the life out of the listener in a blissful, cathartic way.
Slow, plodding riffs that are heavier than death itself are, naturally, the main course in this feast for the ears. Piano, however, comes to play quite a bit in The 11th Hour’s sound, as does the occasional sample. Ed’s singing is even more exceptional on Lacrima Mortis, with a greater range than what was found on the debut album Burden of Grief.
The “newcomer” to the band is Pim Blankenstein, who has been the death growler for the live band since the release of Burden of Grief. He is replacing Rogga Johansson, who was only present on the debut. Pim’s work on Lacrima Mortis is great, his style of growls complimenting Ed’s clean singing even more so than Rogga (who did a fucking killer job himself). He sounds like he would be a monster on the live stage.
At the end of it all, after the headbanging and the fist pumping and the beer swilling, Lacrima Mortis stands as an album that can also be listened to with headphones and introspection; it an album that will stand monolithic, for me, for years to come. If you like your doom metal to be heavy, melodic, and just plain beautiful, get your hands on Lacrima Mortis, and if you haven’t yet, Burden of Grief as well. Both discs are the beginnings of what I feel could be a doom band that stands on the same ground as Saint Vitus, Trouble, Cathedral, and the mighty Black Sabbath. All they need is the fans to truly pay attention and support.
10 out of 10.
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