Recurring Times of Grief

I have Adrian of Lugga Music to thank for a number of wicked releases, not only due to his previous participation in Mourning Beloveth (partially responsible for getting me into doom metal in the first place), but also for the promos he keeps sending my way. I'm not very well diversed in the Irish metal scene, but at least I'm somewhat up to date with the doom scene thanks to Lugga Music. Here we have another Irish gem in the name of Decayor. It's my first time even hearing of them, but apparently there's been a buzz about them in the Irish metal scene for a while now.

I wasn't exactly thrilled the first couple of times I listened through this, mainly I suppose 'cause I didn't really get it. The intro didn't do anything for me, despite the ominous piano and sampling, and when "Veil of despair" started to unveil (no pun intended) it just didn't speak to me. When given the choice of doom I'd mostly go for something funeral-esque, and have never been into the forefathers of death/doom such as My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost and Anathema. From what I understand Decayor has a lot in common with them oldies, so as I said I guess I just didn't get the appeal of this demo at first. Ok, so the intro doesn't really speak to me now either, but I can honestly say I've definitely gotten the hang of the remaining three tracks.

There are a lot of doom bands that doesn't offer any real thrills, as if they think it's enough to just play slow metal. As far as "Recurring times of grief" goes there's an innate feeling of true musicianship. These three lads have undoubtedly spent many hours carefully planning the song structures and honing their sound. The riffing offers tons of variation within each track, you never really know exactly what the vocals will sound like around the next bend and the drumming is simply put fantastic. This is not just slowly humming guitars, deep growls and the occasional drum beat; this is truly varying music. While it vocally goes from growls to scream in every which way the drums are deeply involved in the music; it has such variation and technicality that it's uncanny, and highly unorthodox.

A definite favourite track here is "The sacred heart is bleeding". The melodic guitar line is catchy-as-hell, but it turns on you the next moment to transform into an almost upbeat chugging. Halfway into the tune is takes the form of ominous gloom accompanied by an acoustic guitar. This is also where they first offer some clean vocals, and while it might not be the strongest I've ever heard the whole atmosphere of it all still gives me goosebumps. Soon the song takes another turn as it carries on into a monstrous, moody doom passage before it ends. And no matter what twist or form it might take it never lets go of its natural flow. "Weeping willows" possesses strong riffing, beautiful clean vocals, bone-chilling screams and is once again a marvellous song.

I'm deeply impressed by the skilled musicianship and thought-through songs. Under the guidance of the right label and with a fitting studio Decayor could produce one monster of an album. This demo is already 33 minutes of more skilled doom than tons of albums by highly praised bands of the genre.

Originally written for http://www.mylastchapter.net