This is the second album from these Baltimore doomsters. They are capable of stepping on the gas to create more of a death metal feel at times, but it is just a more aggressive dynamic to the doom they churn. Where the first album was more sludge-driven, this one has a darker, more mournful, melancholic edge. That is not to say the sonic edge is gone, but it is smoothed out for a more metal sound. The vocals are not just husky; they are more of a deep growl. The guitars ring out with a creepier feel. This more melodic, woeful guitar melody-driven sound continues to unfold on "Inheritance." Once into the verse riff, it gains more grit, but not the almost Entombed level of it heard on the first album. When they go into even more melodic territory in the middle of this song, it is executed better, though the sung vocals sit back in the mix.
"Tithe" opens in an even more melodic manner, though it is not as Neurosis sounding as where they used to go. But it also does not embrace the kind of dark feeling that the Peaceville bands once cranked out in the 90s. There are sorrowful undertones that work well enough. 'What Dreadful Music" goes for it with more death metal pumping in it's veins as the drums pound with more drive. The vocals work of the more festering death metal growl. But they never gain growing momentum, as things ebb into a more anguished section that feels good but lacks a hook. The singing that does surface shows continued improvement in that area, despite this not being the strongest song.
"Of Wisdom and War' finds the doomy guitar melodies cast darker shadows. But the metallic pound is pretty straightforward. I do like how the vocals are layered here. It is more deliberate than the previous song, showing that less is more. To their credit, they summoned a little more dynamic ebb and flow to the last song. In leans a little more into the more caustic sludge direction of their last album. I will give this album a 9, placing it decisively over the last album.
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