I am not really the Doom Metal guy because I, most of the times, find it a little bit tedious. Of course, it does not happen all the time. In fact, there have been lots of great Doom Metal albums here during these almost ten years I am writing reviews. But the problem is that some bands think there is a rigid formula to make Doom Metal and this formula is, between you and me, tedious. It is that eternal Black Sabbath thing that Doom Metal bands love to recreate all the time. In general, formulas are tedious if one thinks it out.
Well, to be really honest, the great thing about Godthrymm “Projection” is that, in fact, they do not avoid the formula completely, but they adapt it. Take “The Sun Never Fell” as an example. In its more than nine minutes there is some kind of sonic revolution as it starts with all the elements from a Metal ballad, then speeds it up a little to, in a sudden, dive into a pure Doom Metal atmosphere with all its classical elements. As I always say, the problem is not the use of the formula itself, but how it is used. It is what Godthrymm did here with flying colors keeping the core of the music besides adding some other elements. On the other hand, “Endure My Skin” keeps Doom Metal basics in a touching manner. Here the band shows its principles are still valid.
What makes “Projection” a worthy album is the addition of elements that are seldom remembered by Doom Metal bands. The female voice in “Jewels“ reminds us that plus the clean guitars using full chords, a piano and the acoustic guitars. The thing is that Godthrymm keep the spirit by ‘subverting’ or ‘bending’ it a little. It is easy to recognize Doom Metal spirit here though the strange elements. That is Godthrymm musical signature, if one asks me.
With their third album “Projections” Godthrymm have completed their Visions Trilogy begun with 2020’s “Reflections” debut LP and followed with 2023’s “Distortions” album. Let’s wait for some more.
Godthrymm “Projection” will be released on May 29th via Profound Lore Records.
Track Listing:
- Trenches Deep
- Truth In My Own
- The Sun Never Fell
- Endure My Skin (feat. Aaron Stainthorpe)
- Jewels
- Hope Is Eternal
Watch “Jewels” official music video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!