Wyrding : "S/t"

The vocals can either be the selling point or the deal break for this band. The crooned from a very low baritone to create a very goth like quality. They are being called funeral doom and I am not sure how fitting that is. It is slow. I do give them credit for some really beautiful movements as they shine a light into the gloom. Not sure why something in the water is not computing all the way with me on this one I think it's because the metal element is toned down and the guitars are not coming out to really give this balls. It took me being midway into the second song to realize what the problem was. The mix is really murky and the drums don't pound the point home like they could. They layered vocals don't work as well as Type- O on "False Concept of Voyage". I do like the fact they don't feel the need to really drag these songs out into long sprawling pieces that lose their purpose. The vocals feel like very depressed psychedelic music on this one.

On the fifth song the guitarist chooses to play a single note guitar solo styled melody, that while elegant does nothing to create then kind of oppressive thump that doom needs. Sure there is plenty of atmosphere, but that alone isn't making this album heavy. I think we have enough melodrama and need more meat on the bones of these songs. If it's slow core dark wave, then that could work, but that is not what this band's intention seems to be. The bellow of the vocals is a little pitchy when the croon comes back in on "Ahold A Wren" , but I do like how he smooths out some of the notes to blend them into the cracks of his voice. The only thing a little off putting are the flat notes leading into some of the phrases. If this is a stylistic choice then it's not a good one. The guitar solos also leave a gap in the low end that the bass alone is not capable of filling.

"Agony in Being" is a two part song. The first song brings in a gurgled guttural growl that oozes in under acoustic guitar. Once again the lack of distorted guitar supporting this with the needed crunch leaves the low growl as the only metal element. I am a little turned off by the fact this is allowed to wallow in the atmosphere and become dynamically flat. The second part of "Agony in Being" is more ghostly and experimental. They allow some of the sonic expanses of synth drone on. So asking yourself how much atmosphere can you take is a fitting question before entering this album. They were off to a good start so it's a little disappointing to hear it fall apart at the end. I'll give it a 6.5 as the first half has some very compelling sections.